Voluntary Sector
The Voluntary Sector is defined as "organisations that are non-profit driven, non-statutory, autonomous and those individuals who run the boards of voluntary organisations do not get paid for doing so". The voluntary sector is also often referred to as the "third sector", "not-for-profit sector" or the "social economy".
The Voluntary Sector in Scotland is made up of an estimated 45,000 organisations. Some of these are registered by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator as charities, and the charity sector is comprised largely (but not fully) of third sector organisations. The sector employs approximately 129,000 paid staff or 83,500 in full time equivalent jobs and 1.2 million volunteers.
Organisations within the sector range from small community-based organisations with no paid staff to large charities with thousands of paid staff. Larger organisations often have specialist paid staff for different functions.
In Scotland, the sector's income grew from £2.63 billion in 2004 to £3.21 billion in 2006, with 10,000 new jobs being created since 2004. The sector tends to spend approximately half (47%) of its income on staffing.
Areas included
The voluntary sector is very diverse and requires individuals with a range of skills and knowledge. There are opportunities in a number of different occupational areas including:
- Arts & Sports
- Community Development & Social Enterprise
- Equality & Law
- Environment
- Health
- Housing
- Social Care
- Youth
- Work with Children
Arts and sports activities are the most common for voluntary organisations that are not registered charities. Social care activities are the most common for voluntary organisations that are registered as charities.
More than a quarter of all voluntary sector jobs are classified as "personal service" jobs. Personal service jobs are jobs such as nursing auxiliaries/assistants, care assistants and home carers and playgroup leaders. A third of those employed are in associate professional or professional jobs.
For a list of voluntary sector jobs see below.
What's it like working in the Voluntary Sector?
- The voluntary sector has been prone to stereotyping in the past, being seen to be run by "well-meaning amateurs". This is outdated and organisations look for individuals with professional skills as well as a "social" commitment.
- Employment in the sector is predominantly female. On average three quarters of paid staff are female and three fifths of volunteers.
- Part-time working is higher in the voluntary sector in Scotland (60%) than in other sectors (33%)
- The voluntary sector has a large proportion of disabled workers.
- About 6% of the paid workers classify themselves as from an ethnic minority.
- For unemployed people work in the voluntary sector can act as a gateway to further career opportunities.
- There are few graduate trainee schemes in the voluntary sector. Most entrants either gain experience through volunteering, via another sector or by working their way up from entry level positions. The Good Moves website advertises job vacancies in the voluntary sector.
Future Trends
- With an increasing involvement in delivering public services, potential blurring of boundaries between voluntary and the statutory sectors is to be expected.
- One of the main challenges facing the sector is securing funding from external sources. There has been a decrease in the amount of National Lottery funding.
- An estimated 25% of the sector's income comes from local authorities, through grants or contract funding.This type of funding means that organisations operate on a short-term basis. Partnership working will be essential for small and voluntary and community organisations.
- The voluntary sector is becoming more 'commercial and entrepreneurial'. Many organisations are actually operating like small businesses.
- Job prospects in the voluntary sector are subject to change in the political views of the government of the day.
Useful information
Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO)
Occupations
Advice Centre Worker
Arts Administrator
Care Assistant
Care Assistant - Children
Care Assistant - Elderly People
Charity Organiser
Clerk
Community Worker
Field Social Worker
Home Care Assistant
Home Care Organiser
Housing Assistant
Housing Officer
Information Scientist
Manager
Personnel Officer
Playworker
Receptionist
Residential Social Worker
Retail Assistant
Social Worker
Training Officer
Welfare Rights Worker
