/ WESLEY MISSIONVICTORIA
POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title:Volunteer Supervising Driver

Service, Business or Department:Children, Youth & Families Services - Eastern

Organisational Context

Within the ethos of the Uniting Church in Australia, Wesley has a vision of an Australia where all people belong. With the values of hope, compassion and justice we work together creatively to reduce disadvantage, so people can live life to the full within inclusive communities. This respected community service organisation is both forward thinking and iconic, with a long and proud history.

Hope: believes in a vision for a better world; remains positive and constructive when confronting challenges; works from the premise that there is good in every person; strives for continual improvement; inspires others to live their lives to the fullest

Compassion: values the wellbeing of self and others; demonstrates empathy and consideration for others; models and promotes empowerment and transformation for those who are disadvantaged; acts with respect for every person

Justice: is passionate about promoting a just society where all feel valued and included; believes it is possible for people’s lives to change for the better; consistently pursues what is right; demonstrates fairness, candour and consistency between words and actions

Wesley Children, Youth and Family Services Eastern

Within the context of Wesley Children, Youth and Family Services Eastern the role of the Volunteer Supervising Driver is to supervise the driving practice of learner driverswho do not have access to family members for driving instruction. Volunteers coach learners through various stages of vehicle handling and build a positive attitude towards road use and safety. Mentors take learners for driving practice for one or more hours a week at a time of their choosing in Wesley supplied vehicles and report to the L2P program coordinator.

Position Objectives

  • Pro-actively ensure young people in out of home care are afforded the chance to obtain their probationary license, encourage responsible, safe, lawful attitude towards driving and provide the skills coaching necessary for safe solo driving.
  • Provide a safe and nurturing environment for young people who are learning to drive.
  • Provide positive role modelling in areas such as developing and maintaining relationships, conflict resolution, goal setting and task completion.

Responsibilities

  • To ensure learner drivers develop the skills sufficient for them to gain their probationary license and have a full understanding of safe and responsible driving.
  • Maintain overall control of all activity within the vehicle whilst allowing the learner to gradually develop their skills.
  • Understand and adhere to road laws and the boundaries set out by the Graduated Licensing System (GLS)
  • Record and report on the state of both learner driver and vehicle.
  • Monitor and report on the driving skills and behaviour of learner drivers to the program coordinator and learner drivers’ carer; ensuring any significant developments relating to the young persons’ care, safety or welfare are reported to program coordinator.
  • Complete the learner log book as required by the GLS and vehicle logbooks, including the reporting of any damage suffered by or repairs needed for program vehicles.
  • Ensure cars are in a fit state to drive before and after each lesson and notify coordinator (and cancel lesson) if the situation is/become unsafe.
  • Communicate with the young person in a friendly and supportive manner which they will understand and find applicable to learning to drive; helping to build confidence inthem.
  • Allow learner driver to progress through driving conditions and stages of development at a pace with which they are comfortable.
  • Maintain a strong relationship with young person by ensuring punctuality and reliability in attending learner sessions, showing a positive attitude and listening to them without making derogatory remark.
  • Compliance and understanding/familiarity with organisational policies, procedures and relevant legislation (Quality Management System, Equal Opportunity, Health Safety, driving policies, etc.)
  • To attend mandatory training sessions (ie Equal Opportunity, Bullying and Harassment, Health and Safety), and mandatory training specific to the position (eg Vic Roads driver)
  • Activating Wesley’s values of Hope, Compassion and Justice and a culture of continuous improvement and best practice.
  • Keeping informed through attendance at meetings, internal electronic communication and newsletters; fostering collaboration and team work within and across programs and services.

Reporting Relationships

Reports To: / L2P Coordinator

Other Working Relationships

Internal Contacts: / L2P Coordinator, Young person’s worker(s)
External Contacts: / Clients, their families and advocates
Government funding bodies and contracting organisations
Other providers of human services and other stakeholders

Organisational Requirements

Training / Qualifications: /
  • Vic Roads Driver Training (4 sessions)

Key Competencies: /
  • Understanding, patience and practical skills to assist the young person to develop good driving skills
  • Communication skills to ensure positive engagement with the young person
  • Motivation for volunteering with young people
  • Driving experience in a variety of condition
  • Ability to work through and resolve potentially stressful situations
  • Demonstrate safe and responsible driving when in the presence of learner drivers
  • Willingness to commit to L2P volunteer role for a minimum of 1 year

Other (Essential): /
  • Working With Children Check
  • Current Victorian unrestricted drivers licence
  • Driver License clearance – VicRoads driver history report
  • A satisfactory police records check is a condition of this position and repeated every three years