Visitor Centre Worker - Part Time

Information

The post involves supporting families and visitors to HMP & YOI Polmont.  By providing information, support and signposting to other agencies, the Visitor Centre tries to reduce the stresses around prison visiting, and of having a loved one in custody. We aim to support families to maintain contact with their loved one in prison, and in particular for children to keep contact with a parent in custody by promoting positive attachment-building opportunities. 

The post requires excellent inter-personal skills to build relationships with both adult and child visitors, as well as working directly with SPS staff and within SPS protocols.

The Visitor Centre is open 7 days a week, and will therefore involve weekend working.

Main Function

To assist in the running of the Polmont Visitor Centre.

Main Duties

1. To build relationships with visitors and, in collaboration with others, to identify areas of unmet need amongst visitors. To work towards outcomes for funders.
2. To initiate contact with visitors and offer support and advice as appropriate
3. To work with a group of volunteers in providing support and guidance to visitors and to assist in induction, training and organising a rota for volunteers.
4. To assist in the liaising with prison staff to ensure the smooth operation of the service.
5. To be a signpost for visitors directing to other agencies as appropriate to need.
6. To network with outside agencies to secure appropriate points of referral for support on the relevant range of issues arising from contact with visitors.
7. To assist in the operation of the Centre ensuring the Centre is open at the specified times and being responsible for staff/volunteer deployment and in the absence of the co-ordinator.
8. To assist in reporting maintenance issues to SPS, ensuring the cleanliness of the Centre.
9. To assist in supporting positive interaction between children and their parent in prison
10. To, in the absence of the Co-ordinator, represent the Centre at relevant external and internal meetings.
11. To assist in ensuring the security of the Centre and ensuring that Fire Regulations and Health and Safety Regulations are observed.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. To participate in evaluations of the Service provision, ensuring that the highest standards of care are implemented and achieved.
2. To share responsibility for the quality of service delivery, having particular regard to:-

• values of confidentiality, integrity and impartiality which govern the discharge of duties and responsibilities of members of staff
• the worth, rights and responsibilities of the individual
• the promotion of independent choice
• the protection of people who cannot protect themselves
• the promotion of equality of opportunity
• maintaining and improving practice standards
• supporting other staff, volunteers and befrienders
• the achieving of objectives
• responding to visitors’ comments and opinions

GENERAL

The post holder will be expected to undertake other relevant and reasonable duties as required by senior management.

Have respect for all aspects of Christian worship.

Facilitate service users to attend Christian worship (or worship of choice).

Qualifications

Desirable: Qualification in Social Work or Social Care.

Personal

As we do our work in Christ’s name you must be respectful of our Christian Ethos and be able to work within it.

You will be required to have the ability to work as a member of a small staff team as well as on your own initiative.  You will have an open and pro-active approach and an ability to work collaboratively and constructively with a variety of individuals and agencies.  An ability to demonstrate empathy with our client group is essential.  You will also have good interpersonal skills and the ability to form meaningful relationships in a cross-cultural, cross-faith setting.  In doing so you will be able to set boundaries in relationships and be able to identify an appropriate level for contact initiated through the position.

This post requires you to be a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme and undertake the necessary vetting checks.

Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• Possess basic computer literacy skills including use of Microsoft Office and the internet.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in the social care field.
• Ability to work with children to develop their interest in play and to be responsible for the continual development of the play area.
• Experience of working with volunteers.
• Ability to work within organisations.
• Ability to work alone and on own initiative and in the absence of the co-ordinator.
• Sound negotiation and communication skills.
• An active commitment to equal opportunities.
• Honesty, reliability and commitment.
• A willingness to learn new skills.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Health and Safety Regulations.
• Experience of work with children.
• An understanding of the Prison system.
• Local knowledge of resources for families of prisoners.
• A calm, considered approach.