Volunteer Role Description

Volunteer Role Description

Service / All services
Job Title / Volunteer
Hours / Unlimited. Where potential Volunteer is in receipt of benefits their advisor must be informed prior to arranging any roles and responsibilities with a specific project coordinator.
Reports to / Volunteer Co-ordinator / Themed Lead
Purpose of Job / As directed by their specified line manager, to support service users to fulfil a recovery focused journey by assisting them to access a range of services identified through the development and implementation of individual recovery plans. To represent, assist and support the project in the delivery of the service it provides by meeting their roles and responsibilities criteria’s.

Key Activities:

·  Provide support to the service/ project by fulfilling supervision obligations.

·  Work with service users to address their offending behaviour and drug use.

·  Work with service users to establish non-judgemental supportive relationships.

·  Work with service users to provide different levels of practical support by using positive life skills.

·  Work 1:1 with service users to meet specific goals within a Recovery Plan that a Volunteer has specific knowledge of.

·  Assist service users to access education, training, employment opportunities and leisure activities.

·  Empower service users to access a range of holistic services that support their recovery.

·  Keep accurate records of work with people and feedback any issues to the staff supervising volunteers in a supervision environment.

·  Adhere to safe working practices implemented from a variety of risk assessments carried out at project level and in line with company policies.

·  Referral to a range of agencies i.e. treatment/community support/ mutual aid/ ETE.

·  Either with other members of staff or alone as required, assist with training engagements, speaking or service knowledge on behalf of CRI.

·  Display a commitment to and understand the importance of maintaining client confidentiality.

General terms of reference:

In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:

·  Work flexibly.

·  Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.

·  Participate in appraisal and supervision processes.

·  Attend and take part in the induction and where agreed take part in on-going National Open College Network training programme.

·  Ensure the implementation of the all CRi policies.

·  Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.

·  Undertake other duties appropriate to the role of volunteer.

Person Specification

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Essential criteria:

ü  Knowledge of the issues facing problematic drug users including social care, welfare benefits, health and emergency accommodation.

ü  Up to date knowledge of treatment approaches used across a range of services.

ü  High level of personal organisation skill.

ü  Empathic, solution focussed approach.

ü  Excellent listening and communication skills with a range of people.

And the ability to:

ü  Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.

ü  Offer quality time and abide by any stipulations agreed with a benefits advisor.

ü  Able to respect and maintain confidentiality.

ü  Empathise with client group to the client group.

ü  Have a clear understanding of appropriate boundaries.

ü  Work as a member of a team

ü  Enthuse, motivate and carry projects forward.

ü  Initiate and develop positive relationships with others.

ü  Relate to the client group.

ü  Be creative in the implementation and building of Recovery Capital.

ü  Show a capacity to work alone and the ability to keep calm under pressure.

ü  Adhere to policy guidelines

ü  Work with people to establish non-judgemental supportive relationships.

ü  Provide objective, supportive assistance to help people through difficult periods in their lives.

ü  Act as a positive role model and where applicable as a ‘Recovery Champion’.

ü  Be flexible in approach in terms of when the service requires a volunteer.

ü  Plan and carry out set objectives

ü  Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for service users

ü  Demonstrate effective personal & professional skills.

ü  Seek to improve personal performance contributions, knowledge and skills.

ü  Willingness to work to meet any areas for improvement through training.

Desirable criteria:

ü  Access to own transport.

ü  Knowledge of local services and geography.

ü  Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System.

ü  Experience of working with client group.

ü  Some basic office experience.

ü  Relevant qualification

ü  Specialist skills

This post is subject to ongoing risk assessments with full Volunteer responsibilities implemented once a Criminal Records Bureau check at an enhanced level has been completed.