SOLACE WOMEN’S AID

Advice Service Volunteer Description and Specification

Location: Solace Women’s Aid Head Office - Units 5-7 Blenheim Court, 62 Brewery Road, N7 9NY

Working Hours: Minimum of 2 days or evenings per week

Time Commitment: Minimum of 6 months

Reports to: Advice Team Leader

Start date: January 2013

Expenses: Solace Women’s Aid will reimburse travel and lunch expenses

Description:

An Advice Service Volunteer (ASV) is part of the Advice Team that provides immediate advice and support to women on all issues relating to domestic and sexual violence, ensuring their safety and providing them with options. An ASV has a diverse role and will receive training that will help develop the skills needed to deliver an excellent level of service to clients.

As an Advice Service Volunteer, you would:

  • Be the first point of contact for all service users, agencies, police and others needing Advice Service assistance when they ring the Advice Service line
  • Need to be able to do a basic assessment, signpost and provide initial information – by email, post or phone, transfer or refer to more specialist advice where appropriate

Person Specification:

Essential / Desirable / Method of assessment
Qualifications and
Knowledge / -An understanding of Solace Women’s Aid as an organization and the services it delivers
-Sensitivity to or awareness of the issues surrounding domestic and sexual violence / Knowledge of areas of law relevant to this work, i.e. Housing, Welfare Benefits and Family law. / A & I
Experience / -Supporting others in formal or informal environments / Experience of volunteering / A & I

Skills

/ -Strong communication skills including good telephone manner
-Familiarity with Microsoft Office packages and databases
-Be open minded and non-judgemental
-Ability to remain calm and think logically / Other languages
Advice skills / A & I
Personal Attributes / - Good reliability and time management skills
-Ability to learn and develop through support, guidance and practical work experience
-Ability to empathise
-Commitment to equality and diversity
-The ability to work as part of a team / Resilience in difficult situations / A & I
Additional Requirements / -Commitment to take part in our full mandatory training for volunteers
-Willingness to work within SWA’s values, procedures and policies
-All SWA Advice Volunteers must be aged 18+ years
Benefits to the Volunteer / -The opportunity to be part of a model advice line service structure
-Training on Advice through a structured and practical course
- Meaningful experience in advice work
- The opportunity to take an accredited training course with Solace Women’s Aid and gain a nationally recognised qualification

To apply please email your completed application form to or post it to Sarah Barker, Units 5-7 Blenheim Court, 62 Brewery Road, London, N7 9NY. You may attach a CV.

Application deadline: Friday 9th November

Volunteer Information Session: Tuesday 6th November, 7til 8pm, Units 5-7 Blenheim Court, 62 Brewery Road, N7 9NY

Contact Sarah via email or phone on 02076191350 for more information or to book a place on the information session.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. Posts will be subject to an enhanced CRB check and open to women only. (Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, Part 1). All applicants must aged 18 years or over. No agencies.

SWA October 2012

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