This role is advertised by Volunteer West, the volunteer resource centre of Australian Multicultural Community Services on behalf of Gateways Support Services.

Gateways’ mission is to empower and support children and adults with a disability / additional need and their families to maximise their potential; their quality and enjoyment of life; and their positive relationships within the community.

Volunteer ‘Hosts’ provide support and respite care to a family who has a child or young adult with a disability, living at home with them. The host is matched carefully with a particular child and they then support that child in the hosts own home or in the community, on a regular basis, usually once a month.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide quality support to a young person with a disability on a regular basis, under the direction of the Interchange program staff and in consultation with the young person’s primary carers.
• Communicate any areas of concern to the Interchange program staff and ask for advice or support when needed.
• Maintain regular contact with the family and with the Interchange program staff.
• Provide or assist the young person with personal care activities such as toileting, meals, dressing or showering, as needed and identified in the support plan.
• Encourage maximum independence of the young person in everyday living skills without compromising Gateways’ duty of care to the client.
• Encourage participation and inclusion in the community.

We are looking for volunteers who can demonstrate:

• Reliability and commitment to provide regular planned respite care and fulfil duty of care.
• A positive attitude towards people with disabilities.
• The ability to commit to the program for a minimum of 12 months.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Initiative, enthusiasm and flexibility.