At a Glance
- Tasks: Recruit, train, and support volunteers to make a difference for children with learning disabilities.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity dedicated to supporting children and families.
- Benefits: Flexible working, competitive salary, generous annual leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career progression and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Passion for supporting young people and experience in training or team collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 28124 - 37117 £ per year.
Due to service development, we have a fantastic opportunity for a dedicated and enthusiastic Volunteer and Participation Co-ordinator to join Barnardo's as part of the East Berkshire Keyworking Service for Children and Young People with Learning Disability and/or Autism. We currently have one full time post available on a permanent contract.
Would you like the chance to recruit, train and support Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteers who can make a difference to Children, Young People with SEND (up to 25 years) and their families? Are you passionate about supporting families to build a support network of people who have lived experience?
Covering Bracknell, Slough and the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, it is essential to hold a valid UK driving licence with access to your own vehicle. As a Volunteer Co-ordinator, you will have passion, commitment and be confident in the delivery of training and supporting personal development for Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteers. You will work as part of the keyworker team to ensure we provide the right support at the right time, in the right way.
The role provides lots of opportunities to develop your skill set, knowledge and career progression going forward. The service has a comprehensive training offer for all staff and volunteers.
To be successful, you will need to have the following:
- An understanding of the difference Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteers make and the support required, including providing line management and supervision
- An understanding of the needs of children and young people with Learning Disability and or Autism
- The ability to confidently present information to a range of people, delivering workshops, attending recruitment fairs etc.
- Excellent team working skills. You will work as part of a team that covers East Berkshire
- Safeguarding knowledge and good recording skills
- The ability to efficiently organise events for service users and their families to socialise
- Use of a car
Barnardo's could not do the work it does without our Volunteer co-ordinators and the volunteers that they support. We value the difference that they make. The Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteers you recruit and train will be part of the step-down support offered and will work as part of the keyworking team.
Within Barnardo's, the job title for this role is Project Worker 2. This will appear on the job description. When completing your application please refer to your skills knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification/ additional information document.
Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo's values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work and creativity of our people.
For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People & Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo's and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Whilst the full pay band and salary range is advertised, our approach to starting salaries is to appoint between the minimum to mid-point of the pay band; this ensures that pay steps are available to reward our colleagues annually based on their contribution to excellence and alignment to our values and behaviours. More details on Barnardo's pay framework can be found upon application.
Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these.
Barnardo's require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo's services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland).
Barnardo's believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum, after 3 years Barnardo's service, 29 days per annum, after 5 years Barnardo's service and 30 days per annum, after 7 years Barnardo's service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata.
The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme.
A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity Paternity and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options.
Service related sick pay from day 1.
Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo's. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution.
Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension.
Cycle2work scheme.
Interest free season ticket loans.
Discounts and cashback from high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays and much more via our Benefit Portal.
20% discount at Barnardo's stores.
Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support.
Access to Barnardo's Learning and Development offer. *T&C's apply based on contract.
We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
Volunteer and Participation Co-Ordinator employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As a Volunteer and Participation Co-Ordinator in the beautiful Berkshire area, you will benefit from a comprehensive training programme, flexible working arrangements, and a generous annual leave policy, all while making a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with learning disabilities and autism. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values your contributions and fosters a sense of belonging.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer and Participation Co-Ordinator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, attend local events, and connect with others on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to the role. Think about how your experience aligns with the needs of the Volunteer and Participation Co-ordinator position and be ready to share specific examples.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion! When you get the chance to meet potential employers, let your enthusiasm for supporting children and young people shine through. Share why you care about the work and how you can contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining Barnardo's and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer and Participation Co-Ordinator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for supporting children and young people shine through. We want to see how passionate you are about making a difference in their lives!
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to refer to the Person Specification in your application. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that align with what we're looking for. This helps us see why you're the perfect fit for the role!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute! We recommend applying as soon as possible since the advert might close early due to high volumes of applications. Head over to our website and get your application in!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Volunteer and Participation Co-ordinator. Familiarise yourself with Barnardo's mission and values, especially how they relate to supporting children and young people with learning disabilities and autism. This will help you demonstrate your passion and commitment during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Be ready to discuss your previous experience in recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers. Think of specific examples where you've made a difference, particularly in similar roles. This will show that you have the skills needed to manage Lived Experience Peer Support Volunteers effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as organising events or delivering workshops. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and how you would approach them, focusing on teamwork and communication skills, which are crucial for this role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
