Volunteering opportunities at SENAC
- Train as an Advice Line Volunteer (no current vacancies)
- Help us raise funds to keep our services running
Advice Line volunteer
SENAC’s Advice Line receives hundreds of calls from parents, carers and professionals who want advice and information about the Special Educational Needs system in Northern Ireland. The Advice Line is supported by a team of trained volunteers. These trained advisers are committed to giving a free, accurate, independent service to callers. Volunteers give advice over the telephone, usually from home through a telephone divert system. Volunteers undergo comprehensive training in the Special Educational Needs System in Northern Ireland. They receive ongoing supervision and top up training.
What a volunteer can expect from SENAC
- Flexible working patterns – we recognise the need to accommodate family, jobs, holidays etc
- Full training programme. Opportunities sometimes arise for volunteers to attend external training courses
- Ongoing support from SENAC staff and management
- Cover of SENAC’s Professional Indemnity Insurance
- Personal development
What SENAC expects from an Advice Line Volunteer
- A willingness to work within the aims, principles and policies of SENAC
- An ability to clearly communicate information
- A good standard of literacy skills to record advices and information
- A commitment of a minimum of five/six hours per week within a flexible rota (three hours taking Advice Line calls and 2/3 hours inputting data)
Who can volunteer?
There are no required educational qualifications to become an Advice Line volunteer. However an empathy for the issues experienced by parents of children with learning disabilities and the ability to impart information clearly, are essential qualities. Full training in the Special Educational Needs System in Northern Ireland will be given. Examples of useful experience for volunteers:
- Parents with an interest and/or experience in the field of special educational needs.
- Those experienced in, or with relevant training in, law, advocacy or advice work
- Those with experience in working/volunteering in the area of special educational needs or disability
- Student in a relevant field e.g. education or law
All volunteers must be over 18 years. All information disclosed will be handled fairly and discreetly in accordance with regulations and procedures. SENAC is committed to equal opportunities for volunteers and welcomes applications from individuals regardless of race, gender, sexuality or disabilities.
Potential volunteers will be asked to complete a ‘conflict of interest’ form during the recruitment process. This will avoid conflict of interest between a volunteer’s personal or professional activities and the roles they undertake for SENAC.
Training
- 10 hour modular training course, some additional home study will be required. We will endeavour where possible to fit training times around volunteers other commitments.
- Attendance at supervision/professional development workshops
- Ongoing support from SENAC
To register your interest in becoming an Advice Line Volunteer please email info@senac.co.uk
Fundraising
If you would like to support us by organising a fundraising event we would be very pleased to hear from you.
Click here for some ideas.
