What do Home-Start volunteers do?
Home-Start volunteers aim to build the confidence and independence of the family by:
1. Offering support, friendship, and practical help
2. Committing to a minimum of 2-3 hours per week home-visiting according to the family’s needs
3. Visiting families in their own homes, where the dignity and identity of each individual can be respected and protected
4. Reassuring families that difficulties in bringing up children are not unusual
5. Emphasising the positive aspects of family life
6. Developing a relationship with the family providing a regular, reliable presence in that family
7. Drawing on their own experience of parenting to encourage parents’ strengths and emotional well-being for the ultimate benefit of their own children
8. Encouraging families to widen their network of relationships and to effectively use the support and services available in the community
What is the time commitment?
1. A commitment to the charity of 12-18 months
2. Attendance at 6 weeks of the initial preparation training course
3. 2 to 3 hours weekly home visits
4. Attendance at supervision sessions with the coordinator according to Home-Start guidance, every 4-6 weeks (usually 45 minutes)
5. Safeguarding refresher sessions as requested by the charity
6. Optional attendance at additional training sessions as part of the Volunteer Development Programme
What are the responsibilities of a Home-Start volunteer?
We ask all our volunteers:
1. To commit to the Home-Start ethos and to understand and implement Home-Start’s policies on:
1. Confidentiality
2. Equality, Fairness and Diversity
3. Looking after children in the absence of their parents
4. Safeguarding / Child protection
5. Health and personal safety
2. To undertake all sessions of the preparation course, provide two suitable references, and complete a DBS check at enhanced level
3. To sign their acceptance and understanding of the Home-Start Safeguarding/Child Protection Code of Conduct
4. To be introduced to and contact/visit a family regularly and to work towards identified aims of support as agreed with the family
5. To share information with the Home-Start coordinator and contact the charity immediately if there is concern about the physical or emotional well-being of any member of the family
6. Ensure that the child's needs and experience are at the center of their thinking, and they act on concerns about their welfare
7. To keep essential records of visits to families and submit monthly
8. To attend regular 1:1 supervision sessions according to Home-Start guidance
9. To attend ongoing support and training sessions as arranged by the charity
10. To submit travel and telephone expenses monthly, which will be paid at the agreed rate by the trustee board
11. To inform their insurance company that the car is being used for voluntary work with Home-Start for which expenses are paid
12. To provide Home-Start with sight of their relevant tax, MOT and insurance cover for the car if requested
What will Home-Start do for me?
In return for your commitment, you will receive:
1. The satisfaction and fulfillment that comes with supporting a family in need
2. Excellent preparation for your role, through the volunteer preparation course
3. Formal and informal support from the coordinator, other volunteers, and the trustee board
4. Opportunities for self-development and ongoing training via the Volunteer Development Programme
5. Social events and the opportunity to get more involved in the charity if you would like (e.g., fundraising, promotional events, being a trustee)
6. We will provide a reference after you have volunteered for 6 months
7. The opportunity to be involved in a vital local service and to be part of a national and global network
This is exciting and rewarding voluntary work which requires energy, commitment, reliability, creativity, and a sense of humour. We look forward to hearing from you!
Job Type: Volunteer
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Free or subsidised travel
Schedule:
* Flexitime
* Monday to Friday
Work Location: On the road
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