Providing Community Support and Social Inclusion for Disabled Children and Young People
Sometimes, families just need an extra pair of hands to make life a bit easier. Our Family Support Volunteers (FSVs) provide additional care alongside the parent either in the child's home, for example playing with the child whilst the parent prepares a meal, or helping the family go on outings to the shops, park or leisure centre. Volunteering takes place at times and days convenient to both volunteer and family, often after school or at weekends.
To find out more about being a volunteer,
please see our frequently asked questions below. Also you can download
our short film "Like One of the Family"
which shows how the support of our
volunteers can make a real difference to the families they support.
Frequently asked questions about being a volunteer:
Do I need experience of working with children?
You do not need to have experience of working with children to be a FSV. Most of our volunteers have some experience either through having their own children or having been around younger family members etc. However this is not essential.
What skills and qualities do you look for in Family Support Volunteers?
Being an FSV can be extremely rewarding, satisfying and fun; however it
is not always an easy role. Having a disabled child can put families
under considerable pressure, so volunteers can sometimes find themselves
working in a stressed environment or alongside anxious parents. We
therefore look for volunteers who:
- Really enjoy the company of children and young people
- Have a sensitive, clear and friendly communication style
- Are able to work independently on their own initiative
- Are reliable and punctual
- Have good listening skills
- Have a warm and patient personality
- Have an open-minded and non-judgemental approach to other people's lifestyles
- Are able to work flexibly
- Have enthusiasm and willingness to learn new skills
- Have a good sense of humour!
We have a commitment both to the children and families we work with, and to volunteers, to ensure that FSVs possess the necessary skills and qualities to enable them to meet the demands of the role. We assess the suitability of volunteers through application, interview, preparation training, and the checks and references we take out.
Is there an age limit for being a volunteer?
The minimum age for FSVs is 16; there is no upper age limit.
Do I need to live in Hackney?
Most of our volunteers live in or near Hackney as all of the families we work with are living within the borough. However, if you don't mind travelling from further away, this is fine with us.
What sort of activities will I be doing whilst volunteering?
This varies depending on the child and family you are working with. However you might be thinking up creative play activities in the home, helping the family go to the park or to the leisure centre, helping with hospital appointments, helping the parent take the child/ren to the shops or a combination of all these things! Sometimes you might find that you are working with the siblings as much as with the disabled child. What training will I get?
Before you begin any voluntary work, you must attend one and half day's induction training which prepares you for your role as an FSV and explains what is expected of you and what you can expect from HFBU. You will also need to attend a one-day session on Child Protection.
We have regular training on a variety of related subjects (see our training page) and you are welcome to attend any that interest you. We will discuss with you any training that we feel is appropriate to your particular role e.g. if you were working with an autistic child, you would be expected to attend our autism training day.
Do you carry out police checks on FSVs?
Yes. Before you can begin volunteering, we will need to successfully carry out a police check, a social services check, a medical check and 2 references. Please note that having previous convictions, involvement with social services or health needs will not necessarily stop you from becoming a volunteer.
How many hours each week do I need to volunteer and how often?
This depends largely on your availability. The minimum we usually ask for is once a week for 2-3 hours, although some FSVs volunteer more frequently than this.
Is there a minimum length of time I need to volunteer for?
We ask our FSVs to volunteer for a minimum of 6 months.
Can I claim expenses?
We do not expect you to be out of pocket for the time that you volunteer. You can claim expenses for travel, entrance fees, snacks and telephone costs related to your volunteer work. You just need to keep your receipts / travel tickets.
Do I need experience of disability?
You do not need disability experience, as full training will be given.
What support can I expect from Hackney Family Backup once I'm working with a family?
You will be allocated a "linkworker" at HFBU who will be your main point of contact at the office. You will meet with your linkworker for supervision every 3 months to see how things are going as well as receiving informal telephone support. Should you have any questions, worries or concerns, we are available for extra support at your request, either by telephone or in person. You will also have access to our Toy and Resource Library.
Will I meet other volunteers?
We hold regular volunteer group meetings to give our volunteers a chance to meet each other and share experiences or make new friends. We also hold a social event at least twice a year for all our volunteers, carers and families that of course, you will be welcome to attend.
What if I don't feel comfortable with the family or vice versa?
You will be given the chance to meet with the family before you make a decision about whether you would like to work with them. Occasionally a volunteer, parent or child decides that they, for whatever reason, would prefer not to go ahead with a particular match. We understand that sometimes people just don't "gel" and if this happens we'll do our best to match you with an alternative family. How old will the child be?
We work with children who are between the ages of 0-19 years old so there is a wide range of ages.
How do I apply to be an FSV?
Click here to complete the online application form. Once we have received your form, a member of staff will call you to arrange an informal interview.
HFBU never make direct appeals to the public for funding. If you receive an e-mail requesting
financial assistance that you think might be from us please contact us immediately.