SS 15 98 - Volunteer Development Programme

Kent County Council (the Council) is the largest local authority in England covering an area of 3,500 square kilometres. It has an annual expenditure of over £1bn on goods and services and a population of 1.3m.

The Council provides a wide range of personal and strategic services on behalf of its residents, operating in partnership with 12 district councils and 289 parish/town councils. This requirement is for utilisation by Libraries, Registration & Archives within the Growth Environment & Transport Directorate.

The Council wishes to add value to the Council's Libraries Registration and Archives' services by managing and developing the role of volunteers to support Business Plan priorities. The Council has re-organised the LRA to commission its services against outcomes and so the specification has been developed to achieve this.

The Council owns a softwarepackage,'Time2Give' which will be used by the Successful Contractor to support this programme. The Council would like to work with a dynamic, innovative and creative organisation that will be able to integrate Volunteers, by working with the Council through increased collaborative and proactive working practises that will continue to support the council's vision and strategic and supportive outcomes: The principal objectives of this opportunity are: To manage and develop the role of volunteers to support Libraries Registration and Archives.

To include the work of operational front of house teams and Service Development Teams -Access Services, Business Support, Stock Services, Archives, Digital and Literary Services and Registration services.(The latter will include London Borough of Bexley Registration Services, provided under contract by Kent Libraries, Registration & Archives.) To embed and extend the current good practice. To ensure that all Library Registration and Archive volunteering is managed consistently, taking into account the individual needs of our services.

To extend the range of volunteering activities and the services available in Libraries Registration and Archives and Kent's communities. To engage with local communities to develop and promote Libraries Registration and Archives' services.

To provide training and development activities to improve staff skills and knowledge in the recruitment, retention, supervision and training of volunteers. To promote inclusion and diversity.

To work within the Chartered Institute of Librarians and Information Professionals (CILIP) Guide lines for Volunteering to extend and add value to Libraries Registration and Archives' services. Additional information: Instructions to Suppliers: A full set of documentation is available via the Kent Business Portal at www.kentbusinessportal.org.uk,