Welcoming Young Volunteers (Aged 13–17) into Your Organisation

Many young people aged 13 to 17 are eager to give back to their communities, gain life experience and learn new skills. Your organisation can play a vital role by offering them safe, inclusive and meaningful volunteering opportunities.

This page outlines best practice for hosting young volunteers in a way that protects their welfare while enhancing the value they bring.

Why Engage Young Volunteers?

Young people bring:

Fresh perspectives and creativity
Energy, curiosity and digital know-how
Lived experiences that differ from adult volunteers
Peer-to-peer support for other young people in your group

Volunteering helps young people grow into responsible, confident adults who are active in their communities.

Key Considerations for Organisations

Safeguarding and Consent

Obtain written consent from both the young volunteer and their parent/carer
Include emergency contact details and role descriptions
A responsible adult with a DBS check should be present during all activities

Insurance and Legal

Confirm your insurance policy covers under-18 volunteers
Volunteers under 16 cannot participate in house-to-house collections
DBS checks are free for volunteers and may be required depending on the role

Volunteer Hours (Guidance)

Ages 13–15: Short sessions of 2–3 hours, a few times per week
Ages 16–17: Up to 5 hours, with breaks and flexibility

Avoid long or demanding shifts. Be mindful of school exams and family responsibilities.

Risk Assessments

Complete a separate risk assessment for any activity involving young volunteers. Consider:

Emotional maturity
Potential triggers or distressing topics
Existing pressures at school or home
Any additional needs or vulnerabilities

Induction and Training

Young volunteers may be new to structured environments. Ensure they:

Receive an age-appropriate induction
Understand safeguarding and how to raise concerns
Know who their point of contact is

Buddying systems can provide peer support but do not replace adult supervision.

Setting Expectations

Use a volunteer agreement and a code of conduct to:

Outline roles, boundaries, and responsibilities
Address behaviour, social media, relationships, and prohibited actions
Explain what happens if the code is breached

Creating Meaningful Roles

Design roles that:

Are accessible and purposeful
Match the interests and strengths of young people
Allow skill-building and confidence development

Examples:

Social media support
Event assistance
Youth-led campaigns
Creative content development

Co-create roles with young people where possible to increase engagement and ownership.

Working with Schools or Partner Schemes

If young volunteers come through schemes such as Duke of Edinburgh’s Award or NCS:

Confirm mutual safeguarding arrangements
Establish expectations and reporting procedures
Maintain communication with schools, families or youth services

Managing Concerns and Allegations

Have a clear policy in place for:

Responding to safeguarding concerns
Managing allegations involving young volunteers
Supporting individuals affected by incidents

Ensure policies are accessible, and young people know how to speak up.

Ready to Get Started?

There are a number of youth- focused organisations across Northumberland who may be willing to share their knowledge, expertise and wisdom. Get in touch if you need some help connecting with them.

The North East Youth Alliance may be able to help you with specific advice, guidance or training.

View here.

Volunteer First has developed a comprehensive ‘Young Volunteers Handbook’. Check out the resources here.

NCVA can support you in developing and improving volunteering opportunities for young people. Whether you’re just starting or expanding your offer, we’re here to help you do it safely and effectively.

Let’s work together to grow the next generation of confident, capable volunteers.

For Organisations