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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children with special needs while giving parents a much-needed break.
- Company: Join Northamptonshire Carers, a charity dedicated to supporting families in need.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, receive training, and have travel expenses reimbursed.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while developing your skills and meeting new people.
- Qualifications: Experience with childcare is essential; training will be provided for specific needs.
- Other info: Volunteers must be over 18 and available for a few hours every fortnight.
Do you enjoy spending time with children with special needs? Can you spare a few hours every other week? Would you like to help a parent carer by giving them a few hours respite or time with their other children? If so, have you considered volunteering with the Community Companions at Northamptonshire Carers?
What's involved?
A volunteer companion enables individuals with a caring responsibility for a child with additional needs to take some time away from their caring role. Depending on the time of the visit, and the age of the child it may be more of a babysitting role or a befriending role. You will not be expected to do any personal care or to give any medications. The majority of the children will have autism and/or ADHD although there is no criteria for whom can and cannot be supported, each case is looked at on an individual level.
This role would be ideal for someone who enjoys meeting new people and would like to befriend a child or young person. Whether you want to develop new skills and increase experience or you have had a career in childcare but now find you have enough time to support a charity, any experience of working with children with special needs would be invaluable. Training will be provided along with ongoing support. Volunteers will be matched with a family living in their local area and travel expenses will be reimbursed.
- Empathetic, with good communication skills.
- Willing to undergo training and improve knowledge and awareness of children with additional needs.
Experience:
It is essential that you have some experience in a form of childcare – looking after your own or someone else's children, helping at children's clubs and activities etc. Personal or professional experience with children with special educational needs would be beneficial, but not essential.
Details
- Accessibility
- Age restrictions: You must be over 18
- Health and Safety Policy
- Ongoing support
- Training provided: Autism awareness training, First aid training, Induction including lone working and safeguarding
- Volunteers covered by insurance
Location
This opportunity is available Countywide.
When do I need to be available?
Start Date: 05/07/2024
End Date: 04/07/2025
You must be available for at least a few hours every fortnight between the hours of 9am and 9pm Monday to Sunday.
Contact Detail:
Northamptonshire Acre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Volunteer Community Companion – Children and Young People
✨Tip Number 1
Get involved in local community groups or online forums related to children with special needs. This will not only help you understand the challenges faced by these families but also allow you to network with others who may have insights or connections to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Consider volunteering for other organisations that support children with additional needs. This experience can enhance your understanding and make you a more attractive candidate for the Community Companion role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your communication skills, especially when it comes to interacting with children. Being able to engage effectively with young people, particularly those with autism or ADHD, is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the specific needs of children with autism and ADHD. Understanding their behaviours and how to support them can set you apart from other candidates and show your commitment to the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Volunteer Community Companion – Children and Young People
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience: Make sure to emphasise any experience you have with children, especially those with special needs. Whether it's babysitting, volunteering at children's clubs, or any related activities, showcase how this experience makes you a suitable candidate.
Show Your Empathy and Communication Skills: In your application, convey your empathetic nature and strong communication skills. Use specific examples to illustrate how you've effectively interacted with children or supported families in the past.
Express Your Willingness to Learn: Mention your eagerness to undergo training and improve your knowledge about children with additional needs. This shows that you are committed to providing the best support possible.
Tailor Your Application: Customise your application to reflect the values and mission of Northamptonshire Carers. Demonstrating an understanding of their work and how you can contribute will make your application stand out.
How to prepare for a job interview at Northamptonshire Acre
✨Show Your Empathy
During the interview, it's crucial to demonstrate your empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by children with special needs and their families. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your ability to connect with children and provide support.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
Make sure to discuss any relevant experience you have in childcare, whether it's looking after your own children, volunteering at clubs, or any professional roles. This will help the interviewer see how your background aligns with the role of a Volunteer Community Companion.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the role and the families you might be working with. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you understand what will be expected of you as a volunteer.
✨Be Open to Training
Express your willingness to undergo training and improve your knowledge about autism and ADHD. Highlighting your eagerness to learn will reassure the interviewer that you are committed to providing the best support possible.
