Are you a good listener?

Do you have experience or knowledge of the SEND pathway within your local area? 

Can you regularly offer your time to support a locally based organisation in their mission to support families with children and young people who have additional needs, disabilities or life-limiting illnesses and conditions?

We need you!

As a Family Support Volunteer, you will offer consistent, reliable and non-judgemental advice and information to families. Supporting with advice and practical support for member families of our organisation. You will build trusting relationships with parents and carers at appointments and sessions within our centre or settings. Reducing isolation, increasing their confidence and improving the wellbeing of our member families.

Within our Head Office you will support the Family Support Team in the following duties:

• Provide personalised support – support the family on a regular agreed basis to offer practical and emotional support tailored to their specific needs. This may include;
  • Offering a listening ear and emotional support in person or via the telephone.
  • Sharing your experience of parenting a child or young person with additional needs, a disability or life limiting illness/condition.
  • Support with everyday tasks such as getting someone organised or out of the house to meet for a coffee.
  • Assist with signposting to services and activities we and other organisations provide.
  • Maintain professional standards and boundaries with families upholding our policies and procedures. 
• Report to the Lead of Support Services.
• Keep factual and accurate records using our Records Management System.
• Collaborate and Communicate with our other teams and branches to discuss progress of families, raise any concerns and ensure the families are involved with activities.

Skills and Attributes

• Experience of being a parent, grandparent or carer. 
• Understanding of pressures and challenges on raising a family where they are affected by the additional needs, disability or life limiting illnesses or conditions of a child/young person.
• Patient and understanding with a sensitive, empathetic and non-judgemental approach to all families' situations.
• Listening Skills.
• An understanding and commitment to maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality in line with legislation and organisation policies and procedures.
• Organisation. 
• Commitment to regular volunteering and training.

What We Provide

• Training – You will have access to complete the Mandatory Training on our external training platform.
• Induction – A welcome and introduction to our organisation sharing our ethos, mission and procedures with you.
• Support – Our team will support you to learn the processes within the centre and will offer ongoing support during your time with us.
• Experience – A great opportunity to gain experience for your CV in a real-world setting.
• Community – Join a friendly and supportive team dedicated to providing quality care to children and making a difference.
• Purpose – Help contribute to the organisation’s mission.

Recruitment Requirements

• An informal interview with our Volunteer Manager
• Two references
  • One Professional Reference - Previous employer or volunteer organisation you have worked/volunteered with.
  • One Personal Reference - A friend or someone who has known you personally for 2+ years but is not related to you either by blood or marriage.
• An enhanced DBS Check to be completed by Little Miracles.
• Completion of 8 Mandatory Training Courses on our external training platform in line with our Safeguarding policy and procedures.
• Attendance on an induction session.

If you're interested in this volunteer role, please get in touch via volunteer@littlemiraclescharity.org.uk or call us on 01733 262226.