Do you like spending time with families and young children? We're looking for new volunteers to join our Volunteer Family Connect program, which links a family in need with a trained and supervised volunteer, who supports parents or guardians to develop skills to raise their children in happy, safe and loving environments.

Save the Children is no ordinary not-for-profit.

We're ambitious, creative and outspoken. We stand up for children's rights. We want all children to be educated, healthy and live a life free from violence. We run programs in Australia and overseas and, if there's a disaster - like an earthquake, drought or conflict - we are there on the ground.

Where you come in

Save the Children are seeking a team of dedicated volunteers to join our Volunteer Family Connect (VFC) program in the East Gippsland and Latrobe Valley areas. VFC is a community-based early intervention program providing one on one support to parents and carers in their home or other safe place. Volunteers are provided with specialised training and support. They work in partnership with the family to offer friendly support and encouragement in a non-threatening, non-directive, non-judgmental manner. Click here for more information on the program.

We'd love to hear from you if you have a few hours each week and would be willing to make a minimum commitment of six months, including 30 hours of training.

Skills and knowledge that are preferred but not essential include:

• Experience engaging with young children/ infants - through work or family
• A desire to understand, as well as learn from children and families
• Knowledge of the local area
• Good listening and communication skills
• An empathic and compassionate nature

This role requires:

• Current Working with Children Check
• International and/or National Police Check
• Reference Check (Personal and Business)
• Signing Save the Children Australia's Child Protection Policy and Guidelines, and a Volunteer Agreement
• Minimum commitment of six months

Volunteering at Save the Children is unique

It's the feeling of knowing that your volunteering is contributing to making the world a better place for children and working with others who feel the same. We offer a friendly and positive environment, and flexible hours.

Sound interesting?

We'd love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and resume by clicking on one of the buttons in the 'Apply' section.

For any enquiries, contact Emma on [email protected] using the subject line: Volunteer Family Connect (Voluntary) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Position Description - Volunteer Family Connect Volunteer

Save the Children Australia is committed to providing and maintaining an environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and volunteers, consistent with our obligations under occupational health and safety legislation. If you are successful in this volunteer role, prior to commencement you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19, or that you have proof of medical exemption from the vaccine. Acceptable evidence of vaccination includes:

1. COVID-19 digital certificate (available via your myGov account)
2. Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account) or
3. A letter from the GP who vaccinated you.

At Save the Children, we seek a workforce and volunteer force that is as diverse as our society - in race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, disability, cultures and beliefs - and reflects the communities we work in. We believe diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and core values and we demonstrate this commitment through all our practices. Our inclusive workplace culture contributes to making Save the Children a great place to work and volunteer. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees and volunteers are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct.