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Visitor Resource Centre Volunteer - Prisoner Support Program
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VOLUNTEER POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position title: Visitor Resource Centre Volunteer
- Visitor Resource Centre Project (VRCP)
Responsible to: Project Officer – Prisoner Support Programs
Place of work: External Visitor Centre
– Port Phillip Prison, Laverton – Victoria
Hours of work: Approximately three hours per week
between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm, 7 days
per week (hours may vary from week to
week depending on the workload)
Program Context:
Red Cross, in partnership with the Victorian Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (VACRO), aims to provide a Program offering volunteer support to families and friends visiting inmates at Port Phillip Prison.
Organisational information:
RED CROSS
Red Cross carries out a number of Community Services which are in keeping with the Principles of Red Cross and complement its role in caring for vulnerable people and providing an enduring Red Cross presence in the community.
In delivering its services, Red Cross will demonstrate the highest standards of integrity and quality. Four guidelines will be adhered to:
* Service provision will be based on community or individual need.
* Services will be delivered by trained volunteers wherever possible.
* All services will be provided free of charge to recipients, unless part of an identified ARCV fundraising or business activity.
* The use of government funding will be minimal.
VACRO
VACRO is a not-for-profit, community-based welfare organisation, working exclusively with offenders and their families. VACRO’s mission is to provide support and information for individuals charged with a criminal offence, offenders, prisoners and their families. VACRO also provide leadership, education, training and research on the Justice System for the community.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Visitor Resource Centre Volunteer is a voluntary part time position responsible for providing non-specialist practical and emotional support to family members and friends visiting inmates at the Port Phillip Prison Facility. This is a pilot program which Red Cross runs in partnership with VACRO.
A three month probationary period applies to this position.
Significant responsibility:
Volunteers’ responsibilities include the following:
* To work cooperatively with the Project Officer – Prisoner Support Programs, prison management and staff, VACRO and other relevant staff in the operation of the VRC Program
* To work according to Red Cross & VRC Program policy and operational procedures
* To conform to ethical standards of behaviour as outlined in the VRCP Code of Conduct
* To abide by the policies and practices outlined in this and other related program documents
* To complete all required training modules for accreditation as a VRCP Volunteer
* To attend and contribute to regular supervision and support sessions
* To report all concerns regarding the safety of visitors or others to the Project Officer – Prisoner Support Programs as soon as practically possible
* To report any issues or concerns, relating to the service, to the Project Officer – Prisoner Support Programs
* To abide by prison regulations at all times whilst on prison property
* To collect information as required for evaluation, monitoring and supervision purposes
Tasks:
VRCP Volunteers will offer assistance to visitors before and/or after their visit by:
* Meeting & greeting
* Providing information about the visits procedure at PPP
* Providing reassurance, emotional and practical support during the waiting period and, if required after the visit
* Providing information about specialist support agencies and services
* Working cooperatively with Prison staff to ensure that safety and security procedures are observed
* Providing resources to occupy children in the Visitor Resource Centre
* Providing light refreshments (i.e. coffee & tea) for people in the Visitor Resource Centre
* Providing information for prisoners who have been recently released from PPP
* Wear ARCV identification at all times when delivering the service
Position requirements and personal skills:
The successful applicant will have:
* An interest in providing a humanitarian service and ability to work within the fundamental Principles of Red Cross and VACRO
* A mature disposition and a realistic attitude to the role
* The ability to work within operational policies and procedures, and maintain confidentiality
* The ability to work as part of a team
* The ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people and to work with people from different backgrounds, cultures and religions
* The ability to exhibit a non-judgmental attitude
* The capacity to (in principle) commit to the program on a weekly basis for at least six months
* The capacity to be assertive and set firm boundaries
* The ability to complete tasks as agreed
* A satisfactory reference check
* A satisfactory Police Criminal Record Check
* A satisfactory Working with Children Check
We encourage applications from people from indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Conditions of Appointment:
All applicants will be required to disclose to the Project Officer any criminal offence history and/or any current and/or past connection to the prison/criminal justice system. The successful applicant will be required to undergo a police criminal record check. A prior criminal record will not automatically disqualify a person from becoming a volunteer. Potential volunteers with criminal records will need to be cleared by Red Cross Management and the Port Phillip Prison Management for access to the prisons.
Successful applicants will be required to enter into a formal written volunteer agreement and agree to abide by the VRC Program Code of Conduct.
For further information please contact Leonie Poynter or by phone on 8327 7726
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