Free template · Families

Volunteer application

Screens volunteers before they work with children: roles, availability, references, background questions and agreement to your child protection rules.

Download PDF Word version PDF en español Word en español

What's in it

What the volunteer application covers

At the top: Thank you for offering to help! Everyone who volunteers with children at [Program name] fills out this application. Depending on the role, we may also ask for a background check and training before you start.

About you

Full name
Cell phone
Email
Address
If you're under 18, your age and school

Your connection to the program

Your children in the program (if any)
How did you hear about volunteering with us?

How you'd like to help

Check all that interest you.

Field trip chaperone
Classroom or activity helper
Special events
Coaching or teaching a skill
Office help or fundraising
Driving (we'll ask for a driver's license and proof of insurance)
Other

Availability

Days and times you're available
Date you could start

Experience and skills

Experience working with children
Skills, languages or certifications (such as first aid or CPR)
Anything you'd need from us to volunteer comfortably (optional)

References

Two adults who aren't related to you and who've seen you with children or at work.

Name, relationship, phone
Name, relationship, phone

Background

A yes answer doesn't automatically rule you out.

Have you ever been convicted of a crime, other than minor traffic violations? If yes, please explain.
Has a child protection agency ever found that you abused or neglected a child, or are you listed on any child abuse or sex offender registry? If yes, please explain.

Agreements

Please read and check each one.

I agree to a background check if my role requires one, and I'll fill out the separate consent form
I'll follow the program's child protection rules, including never being alone with a child out of sight of staff
I'll keep information about children and families private
I'll complete any training the program requires before I start
I'll tell [director] right away if I see or suspect abuse or neglect, and I'll report it to the authorities as state law requires

Signature

The information on this application is true. I understand the program may check my references and may decide not to accept me as a volunteer.

Printed name
Signature
Date
Parent or guardian signature (if the volunteer is under 18)

For office use only

References checked (by whom and date)
Background check cleared (date)
Training completed (date)
Approved for (roles), approved by and date

Free to use and change, but not legal or medical advice. Check your state's licensing rules and your insurer's requirements, and have a lawyer review any consent or waiver language.

Tips

How to use it well

Decide which roles need a background check before you hand this out. Volunteers who are ever alone with children, drive them or help regularly usually do.
Volunteers who haven't been cleared should always stay in sight of a staff member.
Keep applications and background check results in a locked file or secure system, separate from other records, and share them only with the people who decide.
Check your state's licensing rules and your insurer's requirements for volunteer screening, and have a lawyer review the background questions, since rules on what you may ask vary by state.
Search the free National Sex Offender Public Website (nsopw.gov) for every volunteer, even in roles that don't need a full background check. If you also want to ask about investigations, check your state's rules with a lawyer.

Rules on ratios, medication and reporting vary by state. See your state in our state-by-state rules for youth programs.

FAQ

Questions, answered

Do parent volunteers need a background check?

It depends on the role and your state's rules. Many programs require a check for any volunteer who's alone with children, drives them or helps regularly, and keep all other volunteers in sight of staff. Check your state's licensing rules and ask your insurer what they require.

What should a volunteer application ask?

Contact details, how they'd like to help, availability, experience with children, two references, background questions and their agreement to your child protection rules. Have a lawyer or your insurer review the background questions, since rules on what you may ask vary by state.