Family Support Volunteer

Role Details

Expires:

Requres DBS:
Yes

Expenses Given:
Yes

Own Transport Required:
Yes

Disability Friendly:
Yes

Description

Introduction to Family Support:
Family support makes a difference by supporting families to maintain family ties, alleviate worries and concerns, answer questions, provide advice and 1:1 support to help prisoners and families cope with the impact of a custodial sentence both during the sentence and leading up to release and resettlement.

 

General overview of role:
Volunteers in this role will offer 1:1 support, information and guidance to families of prisoners, and this may develop to offering support to prisoners.  The volunteer will be offering a listening ear and emotional support as well as signposting people to other agencies, and offering some practical support.

Role Description:
Main tasks will include:

  • To listen to prisoners and their families either face to face or on the phone
  • To provide human support and to ensure that children and families of prisoners are treated with respect, dignity and care
  • To research information about local support services for families
  • To offer practical support in accessing visits
  • To assist staff to organise and deliver a range of special visits including parent/child visits, family learning visits, new/first time dad visits, special family visits and adult only family visits.
  • To assist with the delivery of our heading home project which helps the prisoner and the family prepare for the release by discussing expectations and concerns of a prisoner being released
  • To follow any prison protocols, rules and policies
  • To ensure that concerns raised about a child’s welfare and safety are dealt with in accordance with NEPACS safeguarding policy
  • To offer administrative support to the family support worker

Skills required:

  • Friendly
  • Reliable
  • Non judgemental
  • Well developed communication skills
  • Ability to write up brief but clear case notes
  • Empathy with prisoners families serving the ‘unseen sentence’
  • Ability to listen actively and to empathise
  • Calm and positive in their approach
  • Approachable on the phone
  • Some understanding of the visits process at the prison
  • Ability to work individually but also contribute to the team
  • Some experience of work (paid or unpaid) in a support role in the community

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