Wild Embers Signposting Volunteer

Salary:  Non-renumerated Volunteer opportunity; potential to progress to salary depending on funding

Time Commitment: Up to one day per week

Reporting to:  Director

Location:  Working from home with the ability to travel to Wild Embers locations in and around Totnes and Dartington

About Wild Embers

Wild Embers is a community interest company based in South Devon that is dedicated to providing outdoor provision for vulnerable children and young people. We believe that every child should have the opportunity to connect with nature, build essential life skills, and experience the many benefits that the outdoors can provide.  

Often the families we work with need more help than we can offer and would benefit from being sign posted to local (or national) services or providers.   We are looking for someone with experience and knowledge of local services and providers that might support vulnerable or disadvantaged children and their families outside of Wild Embers.

Key Roles and tasks:

1. Provide relevant and effective signposting to information, advice and support to a young person, parent or carer to address a particular need.
2. Support the delivery of a range of one-off or very brief nature-based interventions to children and young people.
3. To prioritise the safety, wellbeing and healthy development of children and young people through effective observation and assessments, and by following policies and procedures at all times.
4. To keep timely and accurate records of your work and adhere to confidentiality, safeguarding and information sharing protocols.
5. Build up knowledge and understanding of local resources, including statutory, education and community services, and when authorised by family, communicate effectively with professionals in the best interests of the child.
6. Signpost children and families to local resources.
7. Work within systems for the collection of statistical and qualitative data, which can be used to demonstrate outcomes and impact of services via collection and collation of service user feedback.
8. To play an active part in the team, working collaboratively to ensure the smooth running of the service and using informal and organised peer support effectively and shared learning opportunities.
9. To undertake training according to the needs of the service.
10. To be able to evidence Wild Embers’ values at all times and demonstrate respect for everyone we work with and support through our services.
11. To work flexibly in both location and hours, as may be required by the needs of the service and to carry out any other reasonable duties as required.
12. To be willing and able to attend some of our events and offer face to face signposting discussions to our families
13. To be able to attend some meetings (a mix of zoom and face to face in and around Totnes and Dartington)

Person Specification

5. Understand the needs of vulnerable children and young people and the difficulties faced by disadvantaged groups in accessing services.
6. A commitment to providing accurate and consistent information.
7. Ability to deal empathetically and sensitively with people from a wide variety of backgrounds.
8. Ability to effectively work as part of a team.
9. Good IT skills using all elements of Microsoft Office and an electronic client database.
10. Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
11. Confidence and ability to respond enquiries in a polite, efficient and knowledgeable manner.
12. Ability to prioritise and organise work and meet deadlines.
13. Ability to work in a methodical manner and to follow procedures.
14. Ability to have an adaptable and flexible working approach.
15. Experience of completing clerical/administrative tasks.
16. Willingness to, at times, work outside of normal office hours, as required by the needs of the post.

13. Knowledge and understanding of Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity issues.