NG11-07 ing in NHSScotland Developing and Sustaining ing in NHSScotland Outcomes The National Group for ing in NHS Scotland agreed the outcomes below which formed the basis of the programme to develop sustainable volunteering from October 2011 until March 2014. The work programme which follows outlines a continuation of the until March 2015 against the outcomes: Outcome 1 ing contributes to Scotland s health by (a) enhancing the quality of the patient experience, and (b) providing opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of volunteers themselves. Outcome 2 The infrastructure that supports volunteering is developed, sustainable and inclusive. Outcome 3 ing, and the positive contribution it makes, is widely recognised, with a culture which demonstrates its value across the partners involved. Progress made to date Outputs from the include: Engagement with stakeholders National event held in February 2012 to engage with key stakeholders on the outcomes and content. E-newsletter a periodic electronic newsletter that informs stakeholders of progress made in the programme and opportunities for involvement. Communications framework a strategy developed in 2012 for communicating the important messages around volunteering to the appropriate stakeholders. Needs Analysis research undertaken in 2013 which informed the training programme (below) and identified the key challenges staff face. Influencing Skills training Twelve people took part in the sessions delivered in 2013. Evaluating ing training a total of 25 delegates took part in the sessions. Further guidance will be produced in 2014 to supplement the training. The Community of Practice for s an online portal which includes a resource library and discussion forum. Improvement Planning NHS Boards have been supported to develop improvement plans through facilitated session with key staff. Twelve NHS Boards have plans in place. Regional and national networking meetings - opportunities for staff who manage or support volunteers to seek peer support and identify solutions to challenges. Eight regional meetings and two national networking meetings have taken place. February 2014 Page 1 of 8
Developing ing Checklist guidance to help ensure that the key stakeholders have been involved in developing volunteer roles and that the correct measures are in place to support the volunteers in the role. Developing ing Toolkit a suite of engagement tools to support the engagement of health and social care staff in the development of volunteering across a variety of settings. The Toolkit was been piloted in acute and community settings in 2013 and will be formally launched in 2014. ing Information System a national database for NHS Boards to manage their volunteering programme information. The system is currently being piloted and will be launched in early 2014. The National Group for ing also published two documents: A Handbook for ing in NHSScotland A Starting Point for Engaging Young s Both documents were published in February 2014 and are available from the Scottish Health Council website at www.scottishhealthcouncil.org/volunteering.aspx. The continues to support the work of the National Group for ing. February 2014 Page 2 of 8
Outcome 1 ing contributes to Scotland s health by (a) enhancing the quality of the patient experience, and (b) providing opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of volunteers themselves. 1.1 Deliver development sessions in health and social care settings using the Developing ing Toolkit 1.2 Share learning from the Scotland pilot project involving GP services Raise awareness of volunteering across healthcare settings, supporting the development of volunteering in integrated healthcare Learning will allow NHS Boards to consider volunteering development in GP practices and referrals to volunteering opportunities. Scotland, Write to Integration Shadow Boards April 2014 Deliver sessions August October 2014 March 2015 Outcome 2 The infrastructure that supports volunteering is developed, sustainable and inclusive 2.1 Support the development of agreements with third sector organisations who engage with volunteers on behalf of NHS Boards Service-level agreements and partnership agreements will clarify boundaries and help to ensure compliance with NHS, PVG and other relevant policy., NHS Boards Solicit existing agreements and provide reviews April June 2014 Support development of new agreements November 2014 February 2015 2.2 Deploy ing Information System across NHS Scotland The system will support NHS Boards to manage their volunteering programme information, ensuring it is up to date and available to those who need to access it., NHS Boards Confirm deployment schedule April 2014 Deploy system across NHS Boards April July 2014 March 2014 Page 3 of 8
Outcome 2 The infrastructure that supports volunteering is developed, sustainable and inclusive 2.3 Deliver training on use of ing Information System Training and support materials will support the uptake and ongoing usage of the system. Design training modules April 2014 Deliver training alongside development agency May 2014 Delivery of training regional training sessions May Jul 2014 2.4 Oversee the implementation, ongoing maintenance and development of the ing Information System and support users 2.5 Explore the opportunities to enable NHS staff access to volunteer management training 2.6 Support members of the s Network to provide mentoring roles to new members 2.7 Develop standardised practices for volunteer recruitment The ing Information System will support NHS Boards to effectively manage the information requirements of their volunteering programmes and will support them to retain their Investing in s quality standard. The provision of training to new and existing volunteer managers will help ensure consistency in practice and the retention of existing standards This will influence consistency in practice across NHS Boards and support new members of staff into their roles. Focussing on recruitment materials and standards for screening checks, this will help NHS Boards to reduce variation in practice and the amount of time it takes to place volunteers thus increasing retention., s, s Ongoing until March 2015 Liaise with intermediary bodies in April 2014 Circulate training information in May 2014 August September 2014 Ongoing throughout the programme Specific outputs will include guidance on application forms and occupational health screening March 2014 Page 4 of 8
Outcome 2 The infrastructure that supports volunteering is developed, sustainable and inclusive 2.8 Deliver Improvement Planning Sessions to NHS Boards, supporting the creation of ing Improvement Plans, Scottish Health Council Local Officers 2.9 Map the resourcing of volunteering support across NHS Boards 2.10 Share learning with NHS Boards from Government funded projects in East Renfrewshire and Angus upon completion of both projects Facilitated sessions allow the Board to bring together the relevant local stakeholders involved in volunteering. The Improvement Plans are focussed on identifying actions that help Boards to address barriers to volunteering and develop their volunteering programmes. There is no up to date picture on the resourcing of volunteering programmes across NHSScotland. This activity can help NHS Boards review their provision and support the case for further development of the infrastructure that supports volunteering. The two pilot projects will provide valuable learning for other NHS Boards who wish to engage with third sector partners in the development of further volunteering opportunities. Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire, Voluntary Action Angus, Ongoing throughout programme Support each NHS Board to develop Improvement Plans through facilitated development sessions January March 2015 November 2014 March 2014 Page 5 of 8
Outcome 2 The infrastructure that supports volunteering is developed, sustainable and inclusive 2.11 Facilitate regional and national meetings of the network of volunteer managers 2.12 Produce a national overview of volunteer demographics and work with NHS Boards to support inclusive volunteering opportunities at all levels 2.13 Produce regular newsletter for dissemination amongst key stakeholders The regional and national meetings provide volunteer managers with an opportunity to share practice, support peers and collaborate to address the barriers faced in developing volunteering across NHSScotland. Once the ing Information System has been deployed, for the first time it will be possible to analyse national data on the makeup of the volunteers across NHSScotland. Regular communication ensures NHS Boards are kept up to date with the progress of the and other relevant information., Scottish Health Council Local Officers, s and others in NHS Boards, s Regional meetings in May and August 2014 and in February 2015 National meeting in November 2014 February 2015 Issued after each meeting of the National Group for ing Further newsletters as and when required March 2014 Page 6 of 8
Outcome 3 ing, and the positive contribution it makes, is widely recognised, with a culture which demonstrates its value across the partners involved. 3.1 Publish the Developing ing Toolkit 3.2 Map the involvement of volunteer roles in the hospital discharge process and share learning with NHS Boards 3.3 Produce briefing notes using the data available through the national ing Information System The Toolkit has been piloted in a number of health settings and aims to provide staff with a series of engagement activities to use when developing volunteering in new settings. The toolkit will help to develop a culture that supports volunteering. There is anecdotal evidence that some volunteer engagement takes place in the process, notably in the third sector, which assists patients in the transition to home, reintegrating them in their community. Once the deployment of the ing Information System has been completed and Boards are utilising the system it will be able to provide briefings on trends across NHSScotland. This information can help support NHS Boards to plan their volunteer recruitment activity accordingly., NHS Boards April 2014 June August 2014 Ongoing throughout use of the system March 2014 Page 7 of 8
Outcome 3 ing, and the positive contribution it makes, is widely recognised, with a culture which demonstrates its value across the partners involved. 3.4 Review Communications Framework and NHS Boards use of the framework, sharing findings 3.5 Provide guidance to NHS boards on demonstrating the economic and other impacts of volunteering 3.6 Evaluate the progress made through the ing in NHSScotland including feedback on Investing in s The Communications Framework was produced to ensure that the key messages reach the key stakeholders involved in volunteering. A review of the Framework will identify what was successful and what, if any, further activity is required. NHS Boards currently employ a mix of methods in evaluating their volunteering s. The commissioning of the Evaluating ing Training includes the production of guidance to Boards. Reference to measuring the economic impact of volunteering will be included in this and will help to inform practice. The evaluation will inform the future direction of the programme and the shape of future support., Social Researcher, Network of Local Officers August October 2014 April 2014 September December 2014 March 2014 Page 8 of 8