Skills in Volunteering with Children & Young People
Background
The Council for Voluntary Service (CVS) are running a project to recognise the skills and knowledge of local volunteers working with children & young people. This is being done through an accredited certificate through the Open College Network called ‘Skills in Volunteering with Children & Young People’.
How will this benefit us?
- Promotes good practice in your organisation in supporting volunteers
- Show volunteers that you value them by investing in their development
- Volunteers develop new skills and identify areas to develop
- Offers a step into formal learning
- Is nationally recognised
- Publicity for your organisation when presenting certificates
What do the volunteers need to do?
Volunteers will be given all the information they need, in a format that is suitable for them. They can work at their own pace and in a way that suits them. Using the information, worksheets and guidance in the pack the volunteers will, using their own experiences, put together evidence needed to achieve units: ‘Introduction to Volunteering in the Community’ and ‘Developing Skills for Listening to Children’.
Volunteers will set an action plan for their volunteering, identify their skills and further training needs, look at skills needed to work with children and young people and gather information on their organisation and its policies that affect them.
What does the volunteer co-ordinator need to do?
You will support the volunteers through the certificate, arranging one-to-one or group support sessions as needed and helping the volunteers to put together their evidence. You will get on-going support from CVS.
How long will it take?
The volunteers can work at their own pace and it can take as long as is needed.
What will the volunteers achieve?
The volunteers will achieve 2 accredited units at Level 1 of the Open College Network (OCN) (www.nocn.org.uk) and will get a certificate from them.
What support do we get?
The certificate can be delivered through a number of informal sessions with the tutor or anyway that suits your group. Your organisation will get ongoing support from CVS through regular up-date visits and help at the end of the phone when needed.
What do other volunteers say about it?
- “It made me acknowledge the skills that I have & other skills that I will have to learn to fulfil my role”
- “I found all of the certificate interesting and helpful. The section on listening really made you stop and think about how you should be listening to children”
- “The certificate is a positive way of bonding the group through structured discussions about policies, which identified our strengths and weaknesses as a group. It also is hard evidence of how much work and effort goes into what we do. The certificate is a good way of recognising this”.
- “Yes, it is useful to know that the work we do is now accredited even through the time I give up is purely for fun”
What should we do next?
Contact the Children & Young Peoples Groups team at CVS for an informal chat to find out more about how we can support your group on 01942 514234 or email: cakehurst@cvswl.org or cyp@cvswl.org
|
