Volunteer Support Officer
Come and join us
We're looking for people who share our values (compassion, accountability and optimism) to help us provide high quality care to the patients, carers, families and local communities we serve. We specialise in providing NHS mental health and learning disability services.
So what can we offer you in return?
We're an organisation which puts people first. We'll do everything possible to help you feel respected, valued and included. We'll help you learn, acquire new skills and gain further experience to support your career development. And we'll provide the opportunity for you to bring your fresh ideas to work about how we can do things differently and continue improving.
You will also be joining a health and care system committed to working together to do the best we can for the communities we serve. Above all, at Sussex Partnership you'll have the chance to make a difference to the lives of the patients, carers and families across our communities.
As a Trust we are committed in making a difference. Your development is important to us, so don't forget to ask us during interview what opportunities we can offer. We can offer fully funded lifelong learning opportunities such as an apprenticeship from GCSE to Masters level.
If you like the sound of that, then come and join our team.
Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity for a committed, highly self-motivated individual to join the Trusts Volunteer Service, as a Volunteer Support Officer.
The Volunteer Support Officer will be responsible for providing outstanding administrative and team support to enable the delivery of our volunteering programme Trust wide.
The Volunteer Support Officer will work with our Volunteer Service Lead, to ensure that our volunteers feel empowered to provide helpful and empathetic support for patients and staff.
This role will require frequent travel to Trust sites across the whole of Sussex, and therefore the post holder must be willing and able to travel to carry out duties of the role.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will provide “hands on” and administrative support for the operation of our volunteer service and ensure efficient and effective systems are in place to support volunteers and staff onsite.
It will be expected of the post holder to develop a positive/close working relationship with volunteers and all divisional departments, in both Clinical and Non-Clinical areas.
The post holder will need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be able to prioritize and adapt to constant demands on the workload as well as to demonstrate the ability to work as a team member.
The post holder will support with the design, development and delivery of volunteer recruitment and associated volunteer policy, guidance and support structures for volunteers and services.
Working for our organisation
We are a large NHS Mental Health Trust in South East England and are looking for skilled and enthusiastic people to help us provide high quality services for the patients, carers and local communities that we serve.
Joining our team you will become part of a service dedicated to helping to provide the best outcomes and experience for people using our services and a great working experience for staff.
We do not underestimate the challenges ahead and work together to support one another to drive forward innovation and change.
Your personal professional development is important to us and you will be provided with opportunities to develop, as well as a flexible and supportive approach to your work life balance.
Sussex Partnership is an equal opportunities employer, with a sincere commitment to our people's health and emotional wellbeing and as such, we have signed the Time to Change pledge and provide a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities- To be responsible for the support of volunteering Trust wide, including the induction, support and training of volunteers, and adhering to the Trusts volunteering policy.
- Provides secretarial/administrative support to the Volunteer Service.
- Liaises with own and other departments as appropriate
- Oversee the supervision and support of volunteers onsite
- Ensuring all volunteers are up to date with mandatory training
- Promote and organise volunteer events and projects
- Recruit volunteers in the area
- Promote volunteering to groups/clubs in the area
- Create and deliver reports on volunteer activity
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Evidence of continuous personal and professional development
- GCSE English Language and Mathematics (Grades A-C/Level 4 and above) or equivalent
Knowledge / Experience
Essential criteria- Knowledge of relevant guidelines, legislation and policies relating to volunteering
- Experience and understanding of the volunteer recruitment process and the retention of volunteers in an organisation.
- Experience of organising staff or volunteer rotas to cover a service, being able to balance the needs of volunteers and the service.
- Experience of working with internal and external stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
- To be an expert in the relevant guidelines, legislation and policies relating to volunteering.
- Experience of delivering training.
Analytical & Judgemental Skills
Essential criteria- Skilled in using judgement involving facts or situations, some requiring analysis
- Exercises judgement when dealing with enquiries.
- Ability to collate, input and clearly visually present impact data.
- Demonstrate an understanding and importance of confidentiality.
Planning & Organisational Skills
Essential criteria- Plan and organise complex activities i.e. recruitment campaigns, surveys
- Ability to work independently in own role, showing initiative but understanding where to seek appropriate guidance
- A strong ability to use IT systems, MS Office, and databases and learn new IT systems quickly
Physical Skills
Essential criteria- Advanced keyboard use
- Advanced Ms Office skills
Approach/Values
Essential criteria- Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
- Demonstrate an understanding of the practices of Human Rights in the delivery of this role
- Ability to travel across sites in good time
- Punctual and flexible across hours of work when required
- Effectively manage distressing or emotional circumstances
Sussex Partnership NHS FT is committed to supporting a diverse workforce that reflects our communities. Our workforce is currently under-represented from Black and Minority, Ethnic and disabled communities and we would welcome applications from these communities.
We regret that we are unable to advise candidates if they have not been shortlisted. If you have not heard from us within three weeks of the closing date please assume that you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
In the event of an excessive number of applicants the Trust reserves the right to close this vacancy earlier than indicated.
Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust takes its responsibilities for the safeguarding and protection of children and young people and vulnerable adults very seriously and expects this of all its employees and bank workers. The Trust works with adult and children’s social care to ensure that the integrated service has systems in place to equip staff and bank workers with the knowledge and skills to recognize abuse, and take action to safeguard and protect vulnerable adults and children and young people.It is expected that all staff and bank workers familiarise themselves with the appropriate structures and policies and with the Sussex child protection and safeguarding procedures and the Sussex multi-agency policy and procedures for safeguarding vulnerable adults and undertake the relevant essential training and further training appropriate to their role.
Successful candidates are normally offered salaries at the bottom of the relevant salary range. However, where previous or equivalent NHS experience in a similar role can be demonstrated and evidenced, this may be taken into consideration when setting the starting salary.