Children and Young People's Volunteer

Children and Young People’s Volunteer – Asist

Are you passionate about wanting to help young people? 

Do you have 2 to 4 hours to spare, once a month? 

Are you ready to make a long-term, regular, commitment? 

If the answer is yes and you would like to support a child or young person currently in the care of their local authority, then we would love to hear from you. 

Our Independent Visitor Service is looking for volunteers near to you.  

For many children and young people living in foster care can be unsettling. You can make a difference by volunteering as an Independent Visitor. 

We are looking for fun, reliable, and pro-active volunteers from all different cultures, backgrounds and experiences who have a genuine interest in making a difference to the lives of children and young people. 

You will decide with your young person what to do, but activities could include going to the cinema, bowling, playing football, going to a restaurant, riding a bike, or walking in a park. We will match you with a child you share common interests with. 

You do not need experience of working with children and young people, just an interest in their development and welfare. Full training and support are provided. 

Main Responsibilities

• Meet on a one-to-one basis with a child or young person you are matched with
• Go out into the community and enjoy activities you have both agreed to do
• Encourage the child or young person to make positive use of local resources
• Be a role model and contribute to the young person’s development and confidence
• Maintain principles of confidentiality, in relation to the young person and the project
• Always operate within the policies of Asist, and any referring agency
• Complete and return all project paperwork immediately after each visit, as directed
• Attend one-to-one support meetings and be willing to join group activities
• Escalate any safeguarding issues or concerns using project escalation procedures
• Keep the project informed of all planned visits, and any changed or failed visits
• Ensure activities remain within agreed expenses

The Application 

• Volunteering mainly happens at weekends and after school hours as the young people are usually in school during the daytime 
• The role requires commitment of at least 24 months with one visit per month; this ensures stability for the Child or Young Person 
• Complete the Personal Statement section on the application form as fully as possible; tell us all about you; it forms part of the shortlisting process 

Recruitment Process

All applicants wishing to join Asist will follow the same route:

• Application - completed as fully as possible
• Short Listing - If criteria met, applicant is offered a first conversation
• First Conversation - One-to-one call or meeting with applicant
• Conditional Offer - If criteria met, applicant given offer to start training
• Role Training - Usually, group sessions run by individual projects
• Pre-commencement Discussion - Review of training and any feedback – like an interview
• Satisfactory DBS Disclosure - DBS support documents validated at training/ discussion
• Satisfactory References - Obtained after conditional offer sent out
• Volunteer Registered - Project issues supporting documents to HR for approval
• ID Card Issued - Once volunteer role approved by HR

 If you are interested in receiving the application pack, please contact rachel.turner@asist.co.uk
 

This role is advertised as part of TPP's Free Giving Back Services. This volunteer advertisement copy has been supplied to TPP and applicants apply direct to the organisation. Please contact the organisation directly if you have any questions about this volunteer role.