Volunteer Co-ordinator

Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable families? Have you considered working in the Charity Sector and are you passionate about supporting Volunteers? If so, we want to hear from you!

Home-Start Medway is a well-established Charity which has been supporting parents with children aged 0-5 years since 1987. Our ethos is simple and clear, 'To be there for parents when they need us the most because childhood cannot wait'.

It's an exciting time to join our growing team. Having been identified as a leading light amongst Home-Starts and recently received the Kent Charity Award for best use of volunteers and the Queens Award for Voluntary service, we are now looking for a new Volunteer Co-ordinator.

The Volunteer Co-ordinator is responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of Volunteers who provide 1-1 support to parents / carers of children aged 0-5 years, sometimes providing direct support themselves.

Job Title: Volunteer Co-ordinator

Employer: Home-Start Medway (Charity no: )

Location: Medway

Hours of Work: Part time and Full time hours considered

Salary: £26,355 - £29,190 per annum dependant on experience

Responsible to: CEO

Main Responsibilities

Work co-operatively with other team members to recruit and train volunteers and maintain a satisfactory level of available volunteers to meet demand.

Manage a case load of families who are referred to the Scheme, matching them with appropriate volunteers and overseeing this support.

Work with partners to review and design the volunteer training courses so that they include specialist models as identified by client need.

Ensure essential records and checks for volunteers are accurate and up to date.

Match appropriate volunteers with families and introduce them / monitor support.

Provide support and supervision to volunteers that are working with families on your caseload.

Provide regular bulletins / newsletters to volunteers and potential volunteers to retain enthusiasm and motivation.

Develop and facilitate Volunteer social events and support meetings.

Maintain accurate records of the support provided for families on our database system.

Support parent to enrich their living environments by applying for grants for white goods or furniture when needed.

To refer to and / or work in partnership with other agencies and service providers as and when required.

To model age appropriate play activities to parents/carers and offer a range of strategies and activities to manage behaviour and assist child development.

Signpost families to parenting groups that can support them such as the Solihull course or Incredible Years.

Signpost parents / carers to relevant services to ensure they have the necessary provisions to meet their child/ren's needs.

Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.

To attend regular supervision meetings and annual appraisal.

Work co-operatively with Management to support the preparation of the monthly, quarterly and annual reporting requirements.

To contribute to the effective day to day operation of Home-Start Medway in accordance with governing documents, standards and methods of practice, Home -Start agreement and Quality Assurance standards.

To keep efficient, accurate and confidential records, including statistics collection and collation. This would include the use of evaluation tools to enable us to evidence the impact of our work.

To work within all Home-Start's policies and procedures including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures and Health and Safety Policies.

Be flexible and carry our other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.

To work within the ethos of Home-Start and have high standards of practice. The need to respect confidentiality is paramount, as is a mature and flexible approach to the work.

This role is a permanent post. You will be based at our office in Strood although will be required to work across the Medway area. As well as joining a friendly, dedicated, and hardworking team you will have access to numerous benefits, including:

30 days annual leave (including 8 Bank Holidays)

2 days special leave days per year

Birthday leave day

Free tea and coffee provided in the office

Pension contribution of 3%

Christmas staff appreciation token

Annual pay reviews

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) via D.A.S

Access to the Charity Worker Discount Scheme
Access to a reduced-price local gym membership

Home Start Medway is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for children, families, staff and volunteers. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful applicant will be asked to complete relevant pre employment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, right to work checks and verification of qualifications and employment history. All staff are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding and to follow our safeguarding policies and procedures.