Exchanges and listings

When does an exchange need a broker's approval?

Which exchanges wait for a broker, and what members see while they wait.

An exchange is an agreement between two members to swap time. In some communities a broker must approve an exchange before it can go ahead.

How it works

1. A member asks to swap time with another member, usually from a listing.
2. The other member accepts.
3. At that point the site checks whether a broker needs to approve it.
4. If so, the exchange waits in Exchanges with the status Pending Broker Approval. Brokers and admins get a notification.

What decides it

• Safeguarding. If either member chose a safeguarding option that needs broker approval, their exchanges always wait for a broker.
• Your community's rules. An admin can turn on Broker approval required in Configuration. With only that setting on, every exchange waits for a broker.
• Low-risk exchanges. If an admin also turns on Auto-approve low-risk exchanges, most exchanges go ahead without a broker.

Even with auto-approve on, a broker is still needed when:

• the listing has a High or Critical risk tag
• the listing's risk tag says Broker approval required
• the hours are above Max hours without approval

What members see

While they wait, both members see that the exchange is waiting for a broker. Nothing else happens until a broker approves or rejects it. Please deal with waiting exchanges promptly, because the members cannot start until you do.

This is done on the main website. The accessible site does not have this page.

More guides in this topic

• How do I approve or reject an exchange?
• Understanding the Exchanges list
• What can I do when an exchange goes wrong?
• What is the Match Approvals page?
• Tagging a listing that needs extra care
• Recording insurance certificates

Still need help?

If you can't find what you need, get in touch and a person will help you.