Volunteer Role:
Support Plus Volunteer for Disabled Children (Middlesbrough and Stockton)

Responsible to:
Volunteer Co-ordinator

Hours and time frame:
Volunteers must be willing to commit to this role for a minimum period of nine months.

Volunteers must be able to provide a minimum of two visit sessions per month, lasting 1-3 hours each.

The Volunteer training programme requires a time commitment of approximately 22 hours in total.

Monthly meetings with a line manager will last for approximately 1 hour.

Location/work space:
Based throughout Middlesbrough and Stockton.

Objectives:
The Support Plus project aims to increase the independence of disabled young people aged 14-24 living in Stockton and Middlesbrough, by offering opportunities to widen their life experiences. This will be achieved by linking volunteers to support disabled young people to access various activities. The focus of the project and therefore the volunteers activities, will be to put disabled young people at the centre of decision making, increasing their choices and control over what they do and aspire to achieve.

1. To enable disabled young people to develop skills to live more independent lives.
2. To reduce barriers and discrimination that disabled young people face in their everyday lives.
3. To enable disabled young people to have better access to local services and amenities.
4. To allow the project to develop extended links with local participation networks.
5. To increase opportunities and experiences for disabled young people in mainstream activities, and voluntary activities in our local communities. 

Tasks:
1. To be responsible for supporting a young person to access and engage in their chosen activity.
2. To evaluate each meeting and how the activity has contributed to the young persons plan.
3. To liaise with the Volunteer Co-ordinator in order to:
- Complete and return feedback sheets to the volunteer coordinator on completion of activity
- Maintain and submit expenses information
- Maintain up to date project information
- Be available for support meetings
4. To attend all volunteer training sessions and meetings as required.
5. To abide by the Support Plus Project's policies and procedures.

Skills required:
1. Enthusiasm and a commitment to working with children and young people with a disability.
2. Good communication skills.
3. Demonstratable personal qualities include patience, empathy and the ability to form positive working relationships.

Training and support: 
Training and Induction Programme (approximately 22 hours) must be completed prior to starting role.
Regular supervision sessions and ongoing support from Volunteer Co-ordinators.

Benefits:
As a volunteer you will have opportunities to gain experience, improve your skills, increase confidence, access free training and enhance your qualifications. Volunteering can also be a route to better career opportunities or to fulfil your free time in a rewarding way.

References and other verification of commitment and achievements will be provided at your request.

Other information:
All applicants will be assessed in terms of their suitability to undertaking the role.  Volunteers will be required to undertake an enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure.

Volunteers will be matched with an individual child/young person and due to the nature of the role, there is an expectation that volunteers are aged 16 years and over.

Volunteers will be managed in line with our Volunteer Policy. Volunteers are reimbursed travel and legitimate expenses related to their role. All volunteers are covered by The Children’s Society’s Insurance.

This 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.