Volunteer Supervisor

Role Description

Role title:Volunteer Supervisor

Team:Horizons

Responsible to: Senior Volunteer Co-ordinator

Organisation Information

Second Step's aim is to deliver recovery and well-being opportunities for people with mental health and other support needs to achieve their hopes and ambitions.Second Step operates in B&NES, Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire.

We have a range of services including supported housing, support available within the community, mentoring, befriending and peer support services andpsychological therapies. Volunteering opportunities are available in most of these areas. Second Step has ‘Investing in Volunteers’ quality standard accreditation, with an emphasis on volunteer development and progression.

Role Purpose

To provide regulargroup and one to one supervision to volunteer mentors through the length of their mentoring relationship. To offer support, guidance,explore challenging issues and good practice. Encourage personal and professional developmentwithin the mentor’s role. To ensure that volunteers are mentoring in accordance with their volunteer agreement and Second Steps policies and procedures.

Volunteer Supervisors activities

  • Provide support and guidance to volunteer mentors to uphold good practice in the mentoring role.
  • To provide support and guidance to assist volunteerto identify their own needs, goals and development within the mentoring role
  • To facilitate and support group peer supervision every 6 weeks
  • To provide regular one to one supervision
  • Ensure the volunteer is mentoring under the terms and agreements set by Second Steps policies and procedures.
  • To raise awareness of any health and safety or safe guarding issues, reporting directly to the senior volunteer co-ordinator
  • Maintain clear boundaries with the volunteer mentorand also other staff within the organisation and other services.
  • To provide written/typed supervision notes on a regular basis to the senior volunteer co-ordinator
  • To communicate regularly with the senior volunteer co-ordinator and attend supervision
  • To reimburse volunteer mentor expenses via a petty cash system
  • To be involved in training opportunities

Skills, experience and qualities needed:

  • To have knowledge, understanding or experience of mentoring and have volunteered or worked with people with complex needs.
  • Have an awareness ofpolicies, procedures and professional boundaries.
  • Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to listen to others
  • Punctual, patient and reliable
  • To be non-judgmental and be able to empathise
  • To be able to assist others to develop their understanding of the role and its limitations
  • To be able to give guidance and direction
  • While we welcome volunteers with lived experience of relevant issues, we ask that individuals who have had issues around drug/alcohol dependency should have been abstinent and living independently for 18 months prior to application as a volunteer.

What we ask from you:

  • A minimum commitment of 12 months to volunteering
  • A minimumof approx.12 hours per month forvolunteering
  • To attend monthly supervision with the senior coordinator for up to 2 hours
  • To maintain confidentiality
  • To adhere to Second Steps Health and Safety guidelines
  • To abide by and put into practice Second Step’s Equal Opportunities Policy
  • A current Disclosure and barring Check before starting in the role. We recognise that some people may have offending history but this will not necessarily exclude you from volunteering with Second Step.

Our commitment to you:

  • Comprehensive Induction training (required as part of the recruitment process) and full induction
  • On the job learning and access to relevant training courses
  • On-going support and regular catch up sessions with Second Step staff
  • Out of pocket expenses paid in line with Second Steps policies
  • Insurance cover

What you could get out of volunteering:

  • New opportunities and experiences
  • Develop new skills
  • Chance to meet new people and to work along side staff
  • Chance to build your CV
  • Chance to be involved in training and group work
  • Opportunities for personal development and progression

Recruitment method:

Application Interview References DBS (if applicable) Training  Induction  Trial period

Next Step:

If you are interested in applying for this volunteer role, please complete your application form and return to:Horizons, Second Step, 9 Brunswick Square, BRISTOL BS2 8PE

If you would like some help with your application please contact us at the above address or call:

0117 909 6630

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