Spot Check Support Volunteers

Please ensure you’ve read all information on the front page before applying, thank you, paying particular attention to the following points:

Complete our SPOT CHECKER application form

Want to train and work from the comfort of your own home, regardless of where you are based?

Want training and ongoing support and the opportunity to develop new, transferrable skills? Then YOU could be perfect for SOS and its service users.

If you’re a team player, reliable and passionate about mental wellbeing, and want to join a small but growing team, then apply today!

Our next training dates are 24th-28th July (inclusive) and you will need to be available for all dates and times, thank you. Please do NOT apply if you cannot commit to our dates and times.

Please read all the information on the main Volunteering with SOS page, whereby you can see a day by day (with timings) agenda for your training.

You will be asked to either apply for an enhanced DBS certificate, or, provide your current DBS certificate if less than 19 days old or provide your certificate number if you are on the update service. Applying for, or holding, an enhanced DBS does not constitute an offer of volunteering with us, which is dependant upon many factors. From August 2023, spot checkers will also be required to hold an enhanced DBS certificate.

All volunteers will be required to share the load by volunteering for one Saturday evening once every 8 weeks.

All volunteers MUST have the right to live and work in the United Kingdom.

(Please note: you may not hear back from SOS until the week training is due to commence, thank you)

Spot Checker's Application Form

Please note, when you give us an enhanced DBS certificate number, you understand we will use this information to conduct our own checks with the service to ensure validity and conformity. All volunteers must be able to donate at least 4 hours of their time per week . Please note, after each shift you will be required to submit a return form, and you will also be required to undergo refresher training at certain points as part of your development with SOS. These are not included in your basic 4 hours. Phone & Spot Check volunteers must be UK residents, thank you. To offset our carbon footprint, SOS operates a paperless environment where applicable. However, if you prefer to print off a paper copy, you can do so by highlighting the whole form, right click, print, then complete it manually and post to: SOS Silence of Suicide C/O Nexus Chambers The Barbon Buildings, 14 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QH

1) Are you a UK resident? *

Spot checkers must have the right to live and work in the UK.

1a) Your Name *

First

Last

2) Please confirm that *

I have not recently applied for any jobs which could change my ability and availability to volunteer
I confirm that I am able to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week volunteering
I have made applications but my ability to volunteer remains unchanged

3) Which training dates are you applying for? *

11-15 September 2023

Please refer to the volunteer page, scroll to the end and read all about the modules and the times for each date for your role. If you cannot make it this time, there will be future opportunities to apply. Thank you

4) What days can you volunteer? *

NOTE: Our lines are open 8pm until midnight weekdays and from 4pm until midnight on weekends. We ask all volunteers to help share the load by volunteering once every 8 weeks on a Saturday night

5) Confirmation *

Please confirm you are available for 4 hours a week, plus time to complete forms. Meetings are not essential, they are there to help you by talking to other volunteers if you want to.

6) Your Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Country

7) Your Phone Number *

8) Date of Birth *

9) Your Email Address *

Confirm Email

11) What would you like to gain from volunteering with SOS? *

12) Please tell us about any skills or experience you have which may be relevant to your application *

13) Your CV

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Please upload a copy of your current CV, thank you.

14) Have you applied to do unpaid volunteering with SOS before? *

Yes
Yes, but I didn't complete the training
Yes, but I didn't send back the completed post training documents requested
Yes, I completed the training, but wasn't asked to volunteer
No

15) If you previously applied, what date was this? *

Type in the date or put NA if this does not apply to you.

16) Have you any unspent convictions? *

We may ask you about any unspent convictions if you are offered a role with us.

17) Do you have any special needs we should know about? *

18) Please initial in the box if you agree that: *

This application and/or any offer of an unpaid volunteering role do not constitute an offer of employment, either at the application, training or volunteering stages throughout the duration of my time with SOS

19) Character Referee 1 Name *

First

Last

Please provide a character referee who has known you well as an individual for at least 1 year. This cannot be an immediate or extended family member, nor can it be the same as your employer's reference. This referee must NOT be the same as an employer. Please do not use the same person twice

20) Referee 1 Email *

Confirm Email

21) Character Referee 2 Name *

First

Last

22) Referee 2 Email *

Confirm Email

23) Please provide 1 work referee. This must be your current or last employer. We need their name, position, email address, company name and how long you have worked there for *

Please let us have the details of your HR department or line manager. If you are self employed or have not been employed in the last 5 years, please enter a third character referee thank you. A work referee cannot also be a character referee

24) Work Referee

Confirm Email

This must be your current or last employer. If you are, or have been, self employed for some time, you should provide a third character reference. You should tell us about this in the box for Q23.

25 Tell us what type of visual ID you are uploading *

Passport
Driving Licence
Student ID card
Travel Pass (with image ONLY)

Please note, SELFIES are not acceptable forms of ID> Only current and in date IDs are acceptable.

26) Please upload a photographic proof of your visual ID, *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Passport/Driving Licence, Bus Pass, Student Card, Travel Card. If you have no photographic ID, please email lolly@sossilenceofsuicide.org to discuss. Selfies are NOT acceptable forms of visual ID>

27) We need to know: *

That your reading, writing & comprehension skills are at a reasonable standard
That you will be able to read, and understand, our protocols, policies, risks and all other policy and guidance documents you are issued with
That if English is not your first language, your communication, reading, writing, spoken and understanding skills are at a level that enables you to carry out your volunteering
You can work on your own initiative
You have excellent time, organisational & diary management skills
Are aware of the need to operate within time structures

You should be able to tick all boxes. We are a charity who communicates regularly by email. Therefore, your reading, writing and understanding skills need to be of a reasonable standard, meaning, you would be able to carry out all aspects of your volunteering.

30) Emotional Maturity & Resilience *

I feel I have the emotional resilience & maturity required to carry out this role
I am not sure if I have the emotional resilience & maturity required to carry out this role

31 Declaration I confirm that the information given in this registration form is correct to the best of my understanding and I understand that any offer of volunteering with (SOS Silence of Suicide) is subject to completion of training, an assessment by SOS and satisfactory references. This volunteer agreement is binding in honour only. Please type your name which will be used as your signed agreement *

OPTIONAL SECTION: In order for us to monitor volunteer applications, please tick all that apply

SOS wish to promote equality and opportunity for all, encourage diverse representation and work to eliminate discrimination. We welcome applications from under represented groups. You do not have to complete this section.

How would you best describe your gender

Male
Female
Non Binary
Prefer not to comment

How would you best describe your ethnicity?

Which describes your sexuality?

Do you identify as a disabled person?

What age group are you in?

Training Hardware *

Training can only be done via a laptop or desktop. By signing, you are agreeing you have access to such hardware on the dates of training.

Do you have any special needs we should know about? *

Role based Hardware *

Spot checkers can only operate our systems via laptop or desktop. Please confirm you have access to one of these devices should you proceed to volunteer with us.

Please confirm you are available on the days and times you are applying for *

Please do NOT apply if you cannot make all 4 days at the stated times as it will be a waste of your valuable time and our valuable resources. Please do not select days that you know you cannot, or will not, be able to commit to.Thank you.

Previous Supervisory Experience *

Please detail any previous supervisory experience you have had . If none, type N/A, thank you.

Are you registered on the DBS update service following successful receipt of an enhanced DBS certificate?

If yes, please supply your certificate number (not your application or any other number, it must be your certificate number. PLEASE PUT NA IN THE BOX IF YOU ARE APPLYING BEFORE 20TH JULY 2023.

Do you have an enhanced DBS certificate that is less than 19 days old?

If so, please upload in the box below, thank you. PLEASE PUT NA IN THE BOX IF YOU ARE APPLYING BEFORE 20TH JULY 2023.

Please upload your enhanced DBS certificate if you answered YES to the question above and your DBS is less than 19 days old.

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

PLEASE ONLY UPLOAD IF YOU ARE APPLYING AFTER 20TH JULY 2023.

If you do not have a current enhanced DBS certificate?

PLEASE PUT NA IN THE BOX IF YOU ARE APPLYING BEFORE 20TH JULY 2023. Please sign to state you agree to begin your application once SOS have sent you the necessary guidance documentation, but not before you have completed and submitted this form.