This role is advertised by Volunteer West, the volunteer resource centre of Australian Multicultural Community Services on behalf of Commission for Children and Young People

Organisation description: Commission for Children and Young People promotes improvement in policies and practices that affect the safety and wellbeing of Victorian children and young people.

Job Description:

Independent Visitors will be part of a pool of volunteers that are required to visit youth justice centres at least monthly. Independent Visitors work with Commission staff to raise issues of concern that relate to a young person’s wellbeing, treatment or conditions in custody.

During visits to youth justice centres, Independent Visitors will be free to move around the centre with an escort, talking with young people about their experience in custody and assisting them in the resolution of any issues related to their time in custody.

At the end of each visit, the Independent Visitors and Commission staff will meet with the centre Director of Operations and raise issues of concern with them for resolution. Independent Visitors will also be required to provide a written report to the Commission after each visit detailing all issues raised and general observations.

Independent Visitors will receive training and induction prior to commencing the role and will receive supervision and support on an ongoing basis and debriefing as required.

Note: Independent Visitors do not provide legal advice or medical advice, nor is it a mentoring role.

Location:

• Parkville Youth Justice Centre
• Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre
• Cherry Creek Youth Justice Centre (TBC)

Skills required:

• Empathy and cultural awareness
• Good at building relationships
• Written communication skills
• Good verbal communication skills/listening skills

Time required: Minimum 10 hours a month

Commitment required

• Two days of induction training.
• A commitment of at least one full day visit to a youth justice centre per month.
• Written report following youth justice visits
• Attendance at a quarterly meeting with Program staff and volunteers

Other requirements:

• Working with Children Check
• National Police Check
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence recommended

Benefits volunteers will get from this role?

• Professional development opportunities
• Meet and work with a great team of community volunteers
• Opportunity to positively impact the lives of vulnerable young people.

This role can be made suitable for a volunteer with a disability and people who wants to improve their English skills.