Responsible to

Anna Munro - Young Runaways Support Co-ordinator

Safe in the City Project, Birmingham

Location

Birmingham City

Hours and timeframe

Approximately 2-4 hours per week but flexible to be agreed with young person

Objectives

To empower a young person to make changes in their life by focussing on goals and targets.

Tasks

• To commit to offering one to one support to a young person at a time of transition and change in their life
• To work with a young person around issues such as identity taking into account their social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs
• To encourage the young person to exercise his/her rights and to participate in decisions that will affect him/her
• To listen and provide advice from a lay perspective and ensure that the young person's views and wishes are heard
• To abide by the The Children's Society's confidentiality, safeguarding and other policies and to commit to ongoing training and support

Skills required

A mentor is no ordinary volunteer and so you will need exceptional staying power. However, the rewards can be immense. Due to the demanding nature of the role there is an expectation that volunteers are aged 18 and over.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Relate to children and young people
• Focus on a young person's individual needs
• Form positive working relationships with a variety of people who are involved with children and young people, and to understand their roles and responsibilities
• Work on your own initiative but also know how to judge when to ask for advice and support
• Withhold judgments and nurture a young person's potential and ability to form their own views and opinions

Experience and knowledge

Applicants must demonstrate:

• An appreciation of the issues relevant to children and young people, including how education and their social network can affect and contribute to their development
• Life experience
• Experience of working with children and young people, whether in a professional, personal or voluntary capacity

Personal qualities

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Self-awareness and ability for self-reflection
• Commitment to and an interest in the welfare of children and young people
• Sensitivity to the needs of children and young people as well as their carers
• Reliability and resilience
• Commitment to children and young people's rights

Training and support

The Children's Society is working in partnership wih SOVA, a national provider of mentoring and accredited mentor training to provide:

• A full training and induction programme which volunteers will need to attend prior to commencing work
• Continual support and advice through volunteer group meeting opportunities and specific training sessions
• Regular meetings with the Young Runaways Support Co-ordinator for Individual supervision and Support sessions

Other Information

• Volunteers will receive reimbursement for all out of pocket expenses
• Volunteers will be managed in line with our Volunteer Policy
• Volunteers will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure.
• This Voluntary Role work outline is binding in honour only, and is not intended to be legally binding.
• All Volunteers of The Children’s Society and all potential volunteers will be afforded equal opportunities irrespective of their sex, marital status, sexual orientation, religion, race, ethnic or national origin, colour.