Volunteering Opportunity - Independent Person

OIC is seeking an Independent Person.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• You will develop a positive, consistent, and supportive relationship with our students. 
• Listening and providing advice and ensuring you work in a way that empowers and enables young people to develop self-advocacy skills.
•  Promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for who you are responsible and with whom you come into contact.
• The Independent Listener will be required to note the following:
• Take into account the schools views on the student’s needs, as well as the student’s wishes and views.
•  If contacted by a student, they should provide an opportunity for them to talk through problems and issues in a safe and non-discriminatory manner.
• Encourage the student to participate in decisions affecting them.
• Keep accurate and confidential records bearing in mind some students wish to remain anonymous.
• Safeguarding and child protection issues arising from conversations with students should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Provide feedback to the Residential Services Manager for reports, reviews, and other meetings.
• Work in a child centered manner, being clear about confidentiality and where boundaries lie.
• To know the identity of the Schools Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy.
•  Proactively be alert to indicators of potential safeguarding issues and report these immediately in accordance with the school’s procedure.
•  Be aware of the Schools Safeguarding Policy and to follow its requirements.
• Engage in safe practice and professional conduct to safeguard children to mitigate against the potential for misunderstandings or situations being misconstrued.
• The school is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its volunteers, employees and representatives.
•  The Independent Listener must be child focused however sympathetic they may be to other points of view.

TRAINING, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• The Independent Listener should have qualities, skills, experience and/or qualifications in other settings that enable them to undertake work in a professional capacity with children. These may include:
• An understanding and empathy of the needs of school age children and adolescents.
• An understanding and appreciation of the difficulties caused by living away from home.
•  Be able to relate to children and young people and have fun with them and keen to participate in activities.
• To have patience and be willing to focus on the individual needs of the child, listen without prejudice and be open minded and nonjudgmental.
•  Support the child to voice their views whilst being consistent, reliable, and trustworthy.
•  Able to maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality, communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
•  Ability to develop a sensitive but ‘problem solving’ approach to the situation.

To apply please send your CV to recruitment@oxcoll.com

The College is committed to equality and diversity and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment. Applicants for any of the positions available at the College must be willing to undergo a number of safeguarding checks including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, reference checks with previous employers and, where applicable, a Barred List, Prohibition, overseas and EEA checks.