Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Northamptonshire Carers. We have included the volunteer role description which leads onto an application form. Once we have received your application we shall contact you to arrange a time for an informal interview, which will give you a chance to ask any questions and give us a chance to get to know you and see which child it might be most appropriate for you to volunteer with. If you have any questions at all then please give us a call on 01933 677907 or email to [email protected] We look forward to hearing from you. Yours sincerely Adam Wilson, Emma Begley and Kaysha Marlow Volunteer Co-ordinators
ROLE TITLE Volunteer Community Companion (Parent Carers) ABOUT THE ROLE A volunteer community companion enables individuals with a caring responsibility for a child with additional needs to take some time away from their caring role. The volunteer will spend time with the looked after person whilst their main carer is away. During the visit you will be required to supervise the child. Depending on the time of the visit and the age of the child it may be more of a babysitting role or a befriending role. You will not be expected to do any personal care or to give any medications. The majority of the children will have autism and/or ADHD although there is no criteria for who we can and cannot support, each case is looked at an individual level. The level of support required will therefore vary on a case by case basis and we will only match you with someone you are comfortable volunteering with. In this role you would be volunteering for Northamptonshire Carers. The organisation is a registered charity established in 1992 (Registered Charity No. 1061417. Company Limited by Guarantee No. 3328459). EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT Northamptonshire Carers is committed to supporting and promoting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). This includes tackling all forms of discrimination and inequality in both the workplace and the services the organisation provides. Northamptonshire Carers are keen to attract applicants from diverse backgrounds to positively reflect the diverse communities of those we support. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from potential candidates with transferable skills which reflect on their strengths and experiences in the broadest sense. We would like to recruit, develop and retain the best candidates from the widest pool of people. For these reasons we encourage those from any background and minority group to consider applying. LOCATION The volunteering role involves befriending a person through making visits to them in their home. Northamptonshire Carers provide support to unpaid carers across the whole of the county but you would be volunteering in a location local to you. For any travel undertaken during your volunteering expenses are claimable so that you are not out-of-pocket. This requires completion of a travel claim form and provision of bank account details as expenses are paid into volunteers bank accounts via transfer. RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES • To look after a child with additional needs in their own home through regular visits. • Read and understand the policies relevant to a volunteer working with children with additional needs • Should you have any concerns during the befriending visit to report them to and seek advice
You must be at least 18 years of age, be willing to have a DBS (police) check and able to provide two references, at least one of which is from a professional capacity. Personal Characteristics and skills (Essential) • Understanding • Caring and trustworthy • Patient • Empathetic • Good communication skills • Willing to undergo training and improve knowledge and awareness of children with additional needs Personal Characteristics and skills (Desirable) • Able to communicate in a second language • Knowledge of BSL or Makaton Experience (Essential) • Experience in some form of childcare – looking after your own or someone else children, helping at children’s clubs and activities etc Experience (Desirable) • Personal or professional experience with children with special educational needs • Working in an unsupervised setting COMMITMENT EXPECTED The service runs 9am-9pm Monday-Friday. It is anticipated that for this role you would be able to offer approximately 3 hours every couple of weeks. The length and frequency of visits will be arranged in agreement between the volunteer and the family. As a volunteer should you be unable to undertake a planned visit you would be required to inform the Volunteer Co-ordinator as soon as possible. TRAINING Information will be provided in the form of a volunteer handbook. This will include information on confidentiality, lone working, safeguarding and health and safety. We will provide face-to-face first aid training which is a 6-hour course to become an accredited First Aider. There will also be some e-learning on common conditions that the cared for person may have. This training can be provided in another format if e-learning cannot be done.
Training You will be required to read a volunteer handbook which has the key information from our policies related to volunteers working with children. Additionally, you will be required to attend a 6 hour first aid training session and do a short e-learning course on children with additional needs. There will also be opportunities for further training and development throughout your time volunteering should you wish to do them.
Northamptonshire Carers are Race Equality Matters, Trail Blazer’s and have 3 active Staff & Volunteer Networks; Progressive Pride, Ability Matters and GEM. Networks are open to those who identify with a community or are supportive of, with an aim to ensure everyone’s voice is heard and all staff and volunteers are well-informed and feel safe. Please complete as many of the sections below as you feel comfortable to help us know more about what makes you, You.
Please provide the details of two references, where possible, at least one should be a former employer or from school/college. The other may be personal but they should not be related to you and you must have known them for at least a year. Referees should be from work, volunteering or someone who knows you well (this excludes your partner or other members of your family).