Charities and schools will gain free specialist legal advice at next month’s KM Charity Forum, which is open for booking.

A workshop featuring Employment Law 4u will offer advice on establishing fair and appropriate boundaries between volunteers and paid staff.

Mike Arnold, employment lawyer and owner of the Kent company, said: “Most charities - and sometimes schools - look at the possibility of engaging volunteers. If they don’t follow our advice, volunteers can easily default into becoming workers or employees, which opens up issues such as employee rights and minimum wage.

“I hope delegates will gain an understanding, and think carefully, of how to engage volunteers so they don’t expose themselves to risk.”

The workshop is co-hosted by the forum’s headline partners Kreston Reeves who will advise charities on budgeting and full cost recovery.

Other charity sessions include grant funding and a master class in applying to be KM Charity of the Year 2019.

Workshops for school staff and governors will focus on literacy, green travel, road safety, health and wellbeing, and PTA development.

Leeds Castle and Diggerland representatives will explain how school excursions can fit into the national curriculum. And delegates attending this session will go into a prize draw to win class visits to the leisure attractions.

The half-day forum is on Friday, October 12 at the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel. The event is free to attend but places must be booked in advance at www.KmCharityTeam.co.uk/Booking

Employment Law 4U operates nationwide offering professional advice for employees and employers. Find out more at www.EmploymentLaw4u.co.uk