Advice Service Volunteer Description and Specification

Location: Ealing (West London)

Working Hours: Minimum of 1 day or 2 split shifts per week

Time Commitment: Minimum of 6 months

Reports to: Advice Service Coordinator / Advice Workers

Start date: May 2013

Expenses: Women and Girls Network will reimburse an agreed amount of travel and lunch expenses

Description

An Advice Service Volunteer (ASV) will form part of our new Advice Team. The Advice Team will provide immediate advice and support to women on all issues relating to domestic and sexual violence, ensuring their safety and providing them with options. An ASV has a diverse role and will receive training that will help develop the skills needed to deliver an excellent level of service to clients.

As an Advice Service Volunteer, you would:

·  Be the first point of contact for all service users, agencies, police and others needing Advice Service assistance when they ring the Advice Service line

·  Need to be able to do a basic assessment, signpost and provide initial information – by email, post or phone, transfer or refer to more specialist advice where appropriate

Person Specification

Essential / Desirable / Method of assessment
Qualifications and
Knowledge / -An understanding of Women and Girls Network as an organisation and the services it delivers
-Sensitivity to or awareness of the issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence / Knowledge of areas of law relevant to this work, i.e. Housing, Welfare Benefits and Family law / A & I
Experience / -Supporting others in formal or informal environments / Experience of volunteering / A & I

Skills

/ -Strong communication skills including good telephone manner
-Familiarity with Microsoft Office packages and databases
-Be open minded and non-judgemental
-Ability to remain calm and think logically / Other languages
Advice skills / A & I
Personal Attributes / - Good reliability and time management skills
-Ability to learn and develop through support, guidance and practical work experience
-Ability to empathise
-Commitment to equality and diversity
-The ability to work as part of a team / Resilience in difficult situations / A & I
Additional Requirements / -Commitment to take part in any mandatory training for volunteers
-Willingness to work within WGN’s ethos and values, procedures and policies
Benefits to the Volunteer / -The opportunity to be part of a model advice line service structure
-Training on Advice through a structured and practical course
- Meaningful experience in advice work
- The opportunity to take an accredited training course through the consortium partnership and gain a nationally recognised qualification

To apply please download a recruitment pack from www.wgn.org.uk or email to request a pack.

Application deadline: Tuesday 11th April 13

WGN is an equal opportunities employer.

The above post is exempt under the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1

Women and Girls Network March 2013 1