Care Leavers Support Volunteer

Our project engages with young people (aged 18 to 24 years old) in custody who have had some experience of the care system as a child. The project aims to facilitate contact for the young person with their local authority personal advisor or social worker, and any family members or significant others they may wish to contact. Over all we support the young person whilst they are serving their sentence, and around the planned release. The project will also offer a group work programme around independent living skills, positive relationships and resilience.

We are looking for an empathetic individual to work with and support the Project Worker on our Care Leaver project. The principle role will require a number of administrative tasks, to ensure all records are up to date and communicated with partner agencies. This voluntary position includes some face to face work with young male prisoners, working with the Project Worker to engage with individuals discussing childhood experiences, support systems and planning for the future. We are in the process of developing workshops, programme delivery and peer support so there will also be some opportunities to participate in group work.

Main tasks include:

• Support the 1:1 work with young prisoners
• Interview prisoners with the Project Worker
• Keep records of the interviews, both written and on excel spreadsheets
• To engage with partner agencies, updating them on our involvement and/ or requesting information
• Assist the group work programmes
• Assist with all monitoring paperwork for the project

HMP & YOI Deerbolt

To apply: Please download an application form from our Volunteer Opportunities page Volunteer | Nepacs of our website or contact: volunteering@nepacs.co.uk , or ring us on 0191 375 7278.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work with empathy
• Some understanding of early years/childhood trauma
• Good IT skills – with some experience of Excel/data entry
• Excellent literacy and ability to keep records