Volunteer Officer

Title: Volunteer Officer Location: The Plex, 15 Margaret Street, Wakefield WF1 2DQ and Wakefield District Reports to: Chief Officer Type: Fixed Term 12 months Working Hours: Part-time, 22.5 hours per week Salary: £27,800 per annum (pro-rata) Pension: 5% employer contribution Benefits include hybrid and flexible working, 28 days holiday per annum not including Bank Holidays (pro rata), access to mental health and wellbeing support through our employee assistance programme, and training and development opportunities. Purpose To have responsibility for the Healthwatch Wakefield Volunteer Strategy. To lead on recruitment, co-ordination, and support of a diverse range of volunteers for Healthwatch Wakefield; including a 'buddy' system to help overcome barriers to involvement. To facilitate and maintain an activity and training record, and report on volunteer contributions on a regular basis. To remain up to date with relevant legislation and good practice in volunteering. To review and develop the roles available for volunteers in Healthwatch Wakefield, working collaboratively with volunteers, contributors and the team. Healthwatch Wakefield Volunteer Roles Trustees Support for the board will be the responsibility of the Chief Officer, the Volunteer Officer is required to support the development of appropriate procedures Volunteers Enter and View visits Patient and Resident Safety visits in collaboration with the Integrated Care Board (ICB) Co-production task and finish groups Contributors Community and Citizen Panels in collaboration with Panel Coordinators Placement and work experience projects Students or others who may join Healthwatch for a time limited period. There may be scope to develop other volunteering opportunities. Main duties and responsibilities Promote and deliver volunteering opportunities Promote volunteering to potential and existing volunteers. Carry out engagement in the local community linking with the Research and Engagement team and coordinating volunteer involvement in engagement activities. Involve volunteers in all Healthwatch projects. Work with those who are often not heard to make sure they have a voice are given the opportunity to use their experience and take part. Recruit, induct, support and develop volunteers To work with the team to plan recruitment to specific roles, reviewing and updating volunteer role descriptions with volunteers and staff members. Advertise for and recruit volunteers using a range of methods ensuring a diverse volunteer body. Induct volunteers, including forward planning, support and development, including with a view into employment where appropriate and desired. Plan, develop, organise and monitor volunteer activities, including maintaining records of activities and training. Lead and motivate volunteers through supervision and support, and having wider oversight and leadership of other voluntary roles such as placement students and others. Support the development of volunteers' knowledge, competence and skills. To act as a key support and central point of contact for volunteers. To keep all voluntary role holders informed, updated and engaged with Healthwatch. To manage volunteer expenses and advise on wider voluntary role expenses Lead Enter and View visit planning and coordinate patient safety activities Work with the Chief Officer to plan Enter and View visits as the need arises and coordinate the visiting team around the visit. Liaise with the ICB to coordinate volunteer involvement with Patient and Resident Safety Walkabouts. Liaise with the local NHS Trusts to coordinate Patient Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) visits. Collate and report on the outcomes of all visits, articulating the impact of this work for the local community and other stakeholders. Review and deliver Authorised Representative training for volunteers interested in Enter and View visits. Increase involvement of volunteers in the delivery of all elements of the Enter and View process. Provide leadership for the volunteer programme Promote Healthwatch and its services to stakeholders. With the Chief Officer, manage an expenditure budget for volunteering activities. Obtain supplies and manage resources for volunteering activities. With the Research and Engagement Team and others, organise events involving volunteers. Set quality standards for volunteering and assure effective service provision. Lead and participate in meetings involving volunteers. With the Healthwatch Communications Officer, provide information for volunteering Report to external agencies about the Healthwatch volunteering programme. Establish links to volunteering networks in the district and region and develop professional knowledge of good practice. Contribute to the ongoing development of the website by updating the volunteer section on a regular basis. Utilise a variety of suitable communication methods to keep in contact with our volunteers. General Responsibilities Support a positive team environment, ensure compliance with policies, and promote equality and diversity. Participate in internal and external meetings and contribute to the periodic review of job roles. Plan and manage own workload, set targets and deadlines, and be self-supporting with regard to administration and IT. To undertake specific identified projects and any other duties consistent with the nature and level of the post. Person specification Essential Criteria Experience of supporting and supervising volunteers, including recruitment and induction. Experience of producing systems and procedures for volunteers. Experience of delivering and co-ordinating training. Experience of working with a diverse range of communities. Experience of working in partnership and with external stakeholders. Experience of report writing. Communication, facilitating, and liaison skills. Ability to confidently build and maintain professional relationships. Ability to work as part of a team and to collaborate with others. Good planning and organisational skills, including ability to prioritise workload. Able to work effectively under pressure and to deadlines. Able to produce succinct, articulate and well-formatted documents and reports. Ability to understand, interpret and analyse basic financial information Competence in IT skills and internet use. Desirable Criteria Experience of developing a volunteer policy. Experience of working with volunteers within a health or social care setting. Experience of managing a project budget. Knowledge of the third sector in Wakefield District and the environment within which it works. Knowledge of health and social care structures.