SHINE for Kids is the only national charity to provide services to support children and young people from infancy through to reaching adulthood at 18, our programs operate in secure, open custody, and transitional correctional facilities throughout NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD.

SHINE for Kids programs are designed to provide positive opportunities to reduce the likelihood of children transitioning into child protection and justice systems, help avoid family fragmentation, and to reduce both juvenile and adult recidivism.

Volunteering in the Prison Invisits Program includes facilitating activities/games for children during visiting hours with their parent in prison, with a focus on making the visits environment more child-friendly. Volunteers hold a valuable role in ensuring that children have a positive experience during these visits with their family. The program seeks to strengthen the bond between parents and children. The program runs in the Alexander Maconochie Centre - ACT

Activities with children to facilitate play and bonding with the parent may include: Art activities Games including board games and ball games Craft activities including painting, drawing and art construction Books and reading activities Toys that make the environment feel safe and familiar Themed activities specific to celebration days e.g. making cards for birthdays, Easter, Christmas, making cakes for mother’s day and other special occasions Experience in working with children is preferred although not essential. A friendly and open personality with a willingness to work within the prison visitors’ centre is a requirement.

Safeguarding children and young people- Everyone at SHINE for Kids from Executive staff to volunteers take seriously our commitment and responsibility to safeguarding children and young people across all of our programs and services in a supportive environment that is caring, safe, nurturing, free from bullying, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

As a volunteer for SHINE for Kids, you are required to meet the behaviour standards outlined in our SHINE for Kids Safeguarding Children Statement and Practice and behaviour’ guidelines / ‘Safeguarding code of conduct. You will receive a copy of these guidelines or code as part of your letter of engagement. You can also access a copy of this statement on the SHINE for Kids Website.

Therefore as part of your duties and responsibilities, you are required to:

Provide a welcoming and safe environment for children and young people. Promote the safety and well-being of children and young people to whom we provide services. Ensure that your interactions with children and young people are positive and safe. Provide adequate care and supervision of children and young people in your charge. Act as a positive role model for children and young people. Report any suspicions, concerns, allegations or disclosures of alleged abuse to management. Maintain valid ‘working with children’ documentation. Undergo periodic ‘national criminal history records’ checks. Report to management any criminal charges or convictions you receive during the course of your volunteering that may indicate a possible risk to children and young people.

Requirements: Safeguarding Children training – online – Child Protection Training (Identify and Respond To Risk Of Harm or equivalent), Current First Aid Certificate with Asthma and Anaphylaxis (desirable but not essential), Current Working with Vulnerable People card, issued by Access Canberra (Volunteer) Our organisation undertakes several screening processes to ensure the appropriate protection of children in its care. This includes reference checks, Identity check, Criminal History Records Check (where applicable), qualification checks and professional registration checks.

Please note:  Our Volunteer recruitment process can take up to a minimum of 6 weeks.  We thank you for your patience and understanding.