SHAD

Application Process

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with SHAD.

We regret that we are unable to accept online applications at this time.

Application forms can be obtained from our Volunteer Manager, Vitalis Nnebue, via email at volunteering@shad.org.uk, by telephone on +44 (0) 20 8675 6095 or by writing to:

SHAD, 5 Bedford Hill, London, SW12 9ET

Important Notes

SHAD is only able to accept original application forms issued from its office in London and carrying an issuing reference number. Any other applications (including photocopied forms) will not be accepted.

Please be aware that SHAD has no links with non-UK agencies that promote themselves as being able to secure placements with this organisation. It is not necessary to use an agency to apply for a placement with SHAD and applicants use such agencies (which often charge a fee to applicants) at their own risk. SHAD cannot be held responsible for any loss (financial or otherwise) applicants incur when using an agency purely for introduction purposes. If in doubt please contact us for more information. Click here to go to our Contact Page.

Prospective applicants should be aware that it is possible for placements to be ended prematurely for any number of reasons. In this event it will be necessary for the volunteer to vacate any accommodation provided by SHAD. Consequently, prospective volunteers should always ensure they have alternative accommodation immediately available for their use should the need arise.

Following receipt of a completed application form, prospective volunteers meeting the required criteria will be offered an interview with one of our Volunteer Managers. The interview, lasting between one and two hours, will be held at our London office.

The interview with a Volunteer Manager will be followed by a second (and sometimes third) interview or interviews with one or more of SHAD's service users. These usually take no longer than 30 minutes.

The service user will make the final decision on whether an applicant is accepted.

SHAD is often asked by applicants from overseas to hold the initial interview by telephone. SHAD is willing to do this but applicants should ensure they have sufficient time (and available funds if using a payphone) to enable the interview to be completed in full.

Applicants should note they are sometimes required to attend the second, service user, interview immediately after an interview held at the SHAD office.

SHAD generally starts recruiting new volunteers four to six weeks before a placement becomes available. However, the organisation sometimes has unexpected vacancies and can arrange for successful volunteers to start a placement within a few days of their interview.

SHAD is registered with the Commission for Social Care Inspection and therefore subject to certain compliance requirements. In addition, SHAD must, by law, ensure all successful applicants are eligible to take up volunteering placements in accordance with the requirements of the United Kingdom Border and Immigration Agency. Further details will be found in the Additional Resources section on this page. 

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Additional Resources

Commission for Social Care Inspection compliance

In order to comply with certain requirements of the Commission for Social Care Inspection successful applicants are required to provide SHAD with the following:

• Information about their relevant qualifications, skills, experience and fitness
• A full employment history, with satisfactory written explanations of any gaps
• If the applicant has previously worked with vulnerable adults, confirmation of why the position or placement ended

NOTE - Although there is currently no requirement for previous experience or employment SHAD welcomes the above information if it is available.

• Proof of identity and two recent passport-size photographs
• Two written references (these must not be from family members)
• A statement by the applicant about their physical and psychological health

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974

Due to the nature of the work of SHAD, volunteer placements are (by virtue of the Rehabilitation of offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975) exempt from Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are therefore obliged to provide details of any criminal record (including 'spent' convictions) at an early stage of the application process. please note that failure to reveal information that is directly relevant to the volunteering placement may lead to withdrawal of an offer of placement or subsequent termination of placement at a later date.

Any information provided will be confidential and considered only in relation to an application for a placement to which the Order applies. SHAD would like to emphasise that having a conviction will not necessarily prevent applicants from gaining a placement.

In addition to meeting the compliance requirements of the Commission for Social Care Inspection, successful applicants are expected to undergo Enhanced Level Disclosure checks with the United Kingdom (or overseas equivalent) Criminal Records Bureau (including checks against the Protection of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) register).

Full information concerning these requirements may be obtained by contacting the SHAD office. See our Contacts page for details.

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