About this service
Pact Family Services provide support to families who have a loved one in prison. Our staff and volunteers meet and greet families as they arrive for a visit, providing practical and emotional support. This support can range from serving refreshments, providing information as well as providing a play service for the children. We operate in prison Visitors Centres (typically outside the prison gates) and inside the Visits Hall (inside the prison gates) across the UK.
Purpose of this role
The purpose of this role is to offer a warm, friendly and welcoming environment for prisoners’ families and friends. Providing additional support and reassurance to first time visitors who are likely to feel anxious. Pact staff and volunteers are on hand to offer the support needed to ensure that their visit is as positive as it can possibly be.
Time commitment & location
HMP Erlestoke
Monday - Thursday 1:30-4:30
Because of the training and induction requirements, and value of this role Pact hopes you will commit to volunteering with us for at least 6 months.
What you will be doing;
- Meeting and greeting visitors on arrival to the prison Visitors Centre.
- Promoting a relaxed atmosphere in which children and families feel confident, having mutual respect and consideration for each other.
- Assisting with the visitor booking in system where required (IT skills required).
- Working with the Pact staff team to identify and support first time visitors, offering information and advice as appropriate.
- Providing emotional and practical support to families, seeking support from the Pact staff.
- Assisting the Pact staff team to keep notice boards and information relevant to prisoners and their families presentable and up to date.
- Providing information and signposting to families where appropriate.
- Helping set up toys and activities in the visitors centre for children waiting to visit a loved one.
- Serving light refreshments (hot/cold drinks and snacks) to families waiting for a visit.
- Assisting in the administration of the centre.
- Assisting with the organisation and running of Pacts interventions, these include Baby and Toddler Groups, Family Days, Homework Clubs (these vary depending on location)
- Adhering to policies and practises relevant to this role: Confidentiality; Health & Safety; Child Protection and Safeguarding; Equality and Diversity; and Prison security rules etc.
- Reporting any incidents and concerns related to Health and Safety or Safeguarding to a member of the Pact staff team.
What we offer:
Training
We provide a range of training as part of a 2 day induction, this training includes; Introduction to family services, Safeguarding and Professional Boundaries.
We also have e-Learning modules which volunteers will be encouraged to complete as part of their induction training. These e-learning modules are;
‘An introduction to Pact’, ‘The Criminal Justice System’, ‘Data Protection’ and ‘Health and Safety’
Expenses
Travel costs, via public transport or private car (mileage) will be reimbursed including travel to attend training. Subsistence, i.e. lunch may also be reimbursed, according to our expenses policy.
Checks
This role is subject to:
- 2 references
- DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service)
- Security Vetting by Her Majesty’s Prison Service.
Please be aware that these necessary checks can take a number of weeks to process.
Support and Supervision
We will provide a full induction and regular supervision to support you in the role.
Benefits to you
- Developing experience and knowledge of the Criminal justice System.
- Opportunity to develop valuable and transferable skills.
- Volunteering for Pact can be very rewarding and fulfilling
- Subject to satisfactory volunteering with Pact, we will be happy to provide references in support of applications for employment.