Vacancy Details
PURPOSE
The Befriending Co-ordinator plays a key role in ensuring the success of Befriend a Child's befriending programme by co-ordinating and supporting safe, high-quality befriending relationships between volunteers and children / young people.
You will lead on Befriend a Child's Healthy Minds Befriending project, being the main point of contact for volunteers, families, children and partner agencies. You will promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times and ensure that the befriending project achieves agreed targets and outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
Project Delivery and Management
Manage a befriending project (Healthy Minds Befriending project), from its inception through to evaluation, working to achieve agreed targets and outcomes
Oversight of the befriending project budget
Collate statistics and impact data and information on the befriending project for inclusion in project evaluation and funding reports
Volunteer Recruitment, Training and Development
Contribute to volunteer recruitment planning and campaigns
Participate in informal chats, interviews and selection process of new volunteer befrienders, in line with organisational procedures
Deliver high quality volunteer induction and training
Identify ongoing volunteer training needs and support volunteers' continued development
Facilitate group training and peer support opportunities for volunteers
Matching and Ongoing Support
Lead and participate in the matching process between volunteers and children / young people, including home visits
Liaise with referrers and families to gather relevant information and ensure appropriate, safe and successful matches
Provide regular supervision and support to volunteers throughout their befriending relationship
Ensure monthly volunteer reports are submitted and reviewed
Facilitate structured review meetings at 3, 6 and 10 months, and thereafter as required
Identify and respond to any issues or safeguarding concerns promptly, escalating to the Befriending Manager where necessary
Administration and Record Keeping
Maintain accurate, comprehensive and confidential records for all befriending relationships in line with organisation policies
Support annual programme evaluations by gathering feedback from volunteers, children / young people, parents / carers and referrers
Produce case studies and written summaries for reporting and evaluation purposes
Input into funder reports
Resource and Service Management
Work closely with the Befriending Manager to review volunteer availability and ensure the most effective use of resources
Contribute to reducing waiting list times by supporting proactive volunteer engagement and timely matching
Analyse and review project data monthly and provide feedback and recommendations to support service development
Provide weekend cover for Playzone on an ad hoc basis, where required, outside of core working hours
Participate in the on-call rota
Relationship Management and Partnership Working
Build and maintain positive working relationships with referring agencies including school, social work and other partner organisations
Attend case conferences and multi-agency meetings as required
Respond to complaints or concerns relating to the Healthy Minds Befriending project, ensuring the Befriending Manager is kept informed
Act as an ambassador for Befriend a Child, promoting the organisation and its services in a professional and positive manner
Promotion and Wider Organisational Support
Provide the Marketing and Communications team with stories, case studies and quotes for promotional use (with appropriate permissions)
Contribute ideas and content for the volunteer newsletter
Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events as required
Carry out any other duties appropriate to the role, as requested by the Befriending Manager, Head of Operations or the CEO
This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties in line with the needs of the organisation.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATION
Experience
Essential
Minimum 1-2 years' experience in a relevant role
Experience of working with children, young people and / or families
Experience of supporting or coordinating volunteers including involvement in recruitment, training and / or ongoing support
Experience of maintaining accurate records
Desirable
Experience of working with partner agencies(eg schools, social work, third sector)
Experience of delivering training or group sessions
Experience of working within the voluntary sector
Experience of contributing to project budgets, monitoring or evaluation reports
Essential
Skills and Knowledge
Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection principles
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, volunteers and professionals
Understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable children and young people
Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands
High attention to detail to ensure accurate case recording and reporting
Confident IT skills, including Microsoft Word and Excel
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a team
Full driving licence and access to a car
Desirable
Ability to analyse information and use data to inform service development and reporting
Knowledge of local services in Aberdeen / Aberdeenshire
Personal Attributes
Committed to improving outcomes for vulnerable children and young people
Calm, empathetic and resilient
Professional, solution-focused and proactive
Flexible, including occasional evening / weekend work and on-call participation
Apply
To apply, please forward a copy of your CV along with a covering letter giving an overview of your skills and experience and how you meet the personal specification.
Please also include the name and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be your current employer. Please send application information to Nicola Milne, Befriending Manager at by Sunday 8th March at 11.59pm.
Interviews will be held on Thursday 12th March. Please let us know if you need any special arrangements for interview.
For further information please contact Nicola Milne at or tel:
Further Details
At Befriend a Child we believe every child deserves a happy childhood and the best chance in life to succeed and thrive. We support children and young people growing up in difficult life circumstances across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. We help them develop into confident young adults and achieve their full potential. We do this by matching them with trained volunteers who deliver 1:1 befriending and mentoring programmes, which over time have a transformational effect.
We are seeking a personable, proactive, and compassionate individual to join our befriending team as Befriending Co-ordinator. This role will lead our Healthy Minds Befriending Project, making a positive difference to children and young people across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire who are growing up in challenging circumstances. You will play a key role in creating safe, high-quality befriending relationships that help children build confidence, resilience and improved wellbeing.
A central part of the role involves recruiting, matching and supporting volunteer befrienders. You will be a main contact for volunteers, families and partner agencies for the Healthy Minds Befriending Project, ensuring strong communication, effective safeguarding and positive outcomes for all.
If you are inspired by our cause, can demonstrate success achieved in a similar role, are organised, with excellent communications skills and have a passion for working with volunteers and children, we would love to hear from you. This is an exciting time to join the charity as we grow and develop our programmes for local children, young people and families.
This is a full-time post, working 37.5 hours a week. Our working day is generally 9.00am – 4.30pm with occasional evening and weekend work in which we operate flexitime and TOIL. This role is based in our office at 9 Bon Accord Square Aberdeen with some hybrid working if desired. A full clean driving licence and access to a car is essential due to the nature of the role.
For an informal chat to find out more please contact Nicola Milne, Befriending Manager on or call For a recruitment pack please visit our website at or see below. Closing date for applications is Sunday 8th March, interviews are scheduled for Thursday 12th March. A full CV and a covering letter are required for application
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