Volunteer opportunities – Children’s Services

People of all ages and backgrounds make for a richer volunteering team. Our volunteering service sits within the Children’s Social Services, targeted family support team. We offer volunteers the opportunity to join one of our teams and support them in their important work with vulnerable children and families on our Island. Each team offers a range of volunteering streams and provides ongoing support and reflective supervision. 

To apply

For more information about volunteering or to request an application form email volunteers@iow.gov.uk

As a children’s services volunteer you will

• Meet new people
• Improve your skills, knowledge, and experience
• Complete online learning from your own home
• Have a DBS (police) check carried out free of charge
• Gain references
• Obtain experience for entry to social work
• Apprenticeship opportunities

Volunteer schemes include

Community buddies

Befriending or mentoring children based on a specific area of interest.

Support children to engage in community activities.

Supporting workers in running groups such as substance and recovery support and mental health support.

Family champions

Provide support to children and families who have not yet reached the threshold for Social Worker intervention but would benefit from support to avoid further intervention.

Tasks may include support with paperwork, budgeting, access to groups or activities, attending family appointments, and providing respite by taking children to the park.

Assisting families to create more organised living environments.

Support with form filling and or benefit claims.

Support in accessing community activities and building networks.

Mentors

Support with projects such as ‘Come Dine with Me’ and ‘Have Your Say Day’.

Guiding and mentoring young people in transitioning to independent living and helping them set up their new homes and routines.

Support with completing the AQA independent living skills.

Helping in accessing community groups.

Supporting the virtual school with mentoring and exam coaching.

Transportation and drivers

Transporting children to and from school, contact, or appointments.

Youth Justice Panel

Participating in Referral Order panels and guiding young offenders to repair damage, enhance learning, and carry out community reparation activities.

Volunteering with restorative justice projects.

Volunteer story

Volunteer C joined the scheme in 2019. In her interview, she shared her experience of growing up in care and her aspirations of becoming a social worker. She quickly became involved in various tasks, including providing buddy support for a child in foster care, transporting a child to contact, and participating in referral panels for the youth justice team.

In September 2022, Volunteer C started her social work degree. Her volunteering experience gave her the confidence to pursue it, and she was able to use the skills and experiences gained when completing personal statements and applications.

Volunteer C believes that she would not have been able to access her degree if she had not started volunteering in children’s services.