About this service
Pact Family Services provide support to families who have a loved one in prison. Our staff and volunteers meet and greet families as they arrive for a visit with practical and emotional support like refreshments, visitor information and play services for children. We operate in prison Visitors Centres (typically outside the prison gates) and inside the Visits Hall (inside the prison gates) across the UK.
Purpose of this role
Facilitate prison visits by offering a friendly and welcoming environment within the Visitors Centre where people visiting loved ones in prison can spend time before and after their visit.
Time commitment & location
Location: HMP Bristol, 19 Cambridge Road, Bristol, BS7 8PS. The visitors centre is in close proximity to the prison.
Time commitment: Shifts are available 13:30 - 17:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. You can volunteer for as many shifts as you are able.
Because of the training and induction requirements, and value of this role, Pact hopes you will commit to volunteering with us one shift a week for at least 6 months.
What you will be doing
- Meet and greet visitors on arrival to the prison Visitors Centre
- Promote a relaxed atmosphere in which children and families feel confident, having mutual respect and consideration for each other
- Assist with the visitor booking in system where required (IT skills required)
- Work with the Pact staff team to identify and support first time visitors, offering information and advice as appropriate
- Provide emotional and practical support to families, seeking support from the Pact staff team as appropriate
- Assist the Pact staff team to keep notice boards and information relevant to prisoners and their families presentable and up to date
- Provide information and signposting to families where appropriate
- Help set up toys and activities in the visitors centre for children waiting to visit a loved one
- May serve light refreshments (hot/cold drinks and snacks) to families waiting for a visit
- Assist in the administration of the centre
- Adhere to policies and practices relevant to this role: Confidentiality; Health & Safety; Child Protection and Safeguarding; Equality and Diversity; and Prison security rules etc.
- Report all incidents and concerns related to Health and Safety or Safeguarding to a member of the Pact staff team.
Type of person we are looking for
|
Experience |
Skills / Abilities |
Attitudes |
|
Experience of working with members of the public / customer service experience
Experience of working in a team
|
Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to deal calmly and sensitively with prisoners and families, demonstrating patience and respect
Ability to respect confidentiality
Organised and able to use initiative
Ability to work alone or in a team
Customer service skills
Listening skills
IT skills *Where required, training provided
|
Non-judgmental, empathetic attitude towards prisoners and their families
Honesty and reliability
Warm and friendly approach to working with people
Be able to treat all staff, prisoners and their families with respect, dignity and courtesy |
What we offer
Training
We provide a range of training as part of your induction, this training includes; Introduction to family services, Safeguarding, Professional Boundaries and Equality and Diversity.
We also have e-Learning modules which volunteers will be encouraged to complete as part of their induction training. These e-learning modules are;
‘An introduction to Pact’, ‘The Criminal Justice System’, ‘Data Protection’ and ‘Health and Safety’
Expenses
Travel costs, via public transport or private car (mileage) will be reimbursed including travel to attend training. Subsistence, i.e. lunch may also be reimbursed, according to our expenses policy.
Checks
This role is subject to:
- 3 years of employment history or other activities (e.g., studying, travelling)
- Enhanced DBS check (Disclosure & Barring Service) with child barring
- Security Vetting by HM Prison Service
Please be aware that these necessary checks can take a number of weeks to process.
Support and Supervision
We will provide a full induction and regular supervision to support you in the role.
Benefits to you
- Developing experience and knowledge of the prison environment
- Developing listening skills
- Opportunity to develop relationship building skills
- Subject to satisfactory volunteering with Pact, we will be happy to provide references in support of applications for employment
Next steps
For more information about Pact and to apply for this role please click the green 'Fill in an application' box at the top of this page or for more information please email volunteering@prisonadvice.org.uk
Pact is a registered charity - number: 219278. Company registration number: 356443.
Registered office: 29 Peckham Road, London, SE5 8UA