Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us.  There are a number of different ways to be involved with volunteering at the Family Inclusion Network of WA, and to participate in the delivery of our mission:

“To have a child protection system that is respectful and inclusive of parents,
families and community as key stakeholders.”

The child protection system is very complex, and parents and children face significant power imbalances as they attempt to understand and engage with the system, at the same time as they are grappling with the deeply personal responsibility of raising children safely. Fin WA is committed to helping families navigate the child protection system so they can participate with more information, knowledge and confidence. 

We welcome volunteers from a range of backgrounds with varied skills and experience, who share our values of inclusion, equity and justice, transparency and partnership.

Volunteer roles may include:

  • administrative support including answering phones
  • support and information to parents in a group setting, or individually
  • sharing a skill with parents, eg writing, cooking, gardening
  • accompanying a parent to various appointments, eg Court, Centrelink
  • supporting a family to complete a Responding Affidavit
  • providing input to training, and resource development

Volunteers with lived experience of child protection: Family Partners

We particularly value the participation of people who have lived experience of involvement with the child protection system.   The voice and input of people with lived experience is very powerful as it provides hope and dignity to families who are currently navigating the system.  We call volunteers with lived experience Family Partners as they can walk alongside families to support and guide them on their journey.

Family Partners can provide a bridge between parents and the system, building courage and confidence for parents.

Family Partners can also work to inform and influence systemic change of the child protection process by participating in consultations, training and research.

There is a process of training and assessment before being linked with families, and there is ongoing support and supervision for all volunteers within Fin WA.


FIN WA’S COMMITMENT TO OUR VOLUNTEERS

Fin WA also commits to ensuring that Volunteer rights are upheld. 

As a volunteer you have the right to:

  • Work in a healthy and safe environment
  • Be adequately covered by insurance
  • Be interviewed and engaged in accordance with equal opportunity and anti-discrimination legislation
  • Have clear tasks, and agreed working hours
  • Have access to a grievance procedure
  • Be provided with orientation to the organisation
  • Be provided with sufficient training and supervision to do your job
  • Be given a copy of the organisation’s volunteer policy and any other policy that affects your work
  • Be reimbursed for pre-approved out of pocket expenses
  • Not fill a position previously held by a paid worker
  • Not do the work of paid staff during industrial disputes
  • Have your confidential and personal information dealt with in accordance with the principles of the Privacy Act 1988

 

Relationship with Volunteer Supervisor

Volunteers will be supported and supervised by Fin WA staff.  This can include regular individual meetings to discuss and debrief about the work you are doing, as well as group supervision to discuss issues that all volunteers may be facing. 


For more information please contact Jacquie: jacquie@finwa.org.au  or Ph: 9328 6434.

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