What is the application process?

Parents Advice Centre (PAC) employs a careful recruitment process to find the most suitable people for the role of Helpline Volunteer. This is described below ...

Application:

Information provided on the application form, and that sought via the Access NI Disclosure Certificate is used to ensure that applicants meet our basic eligibility criteria.

Initial Selection Meeting:

Applicants will be invited to a short meeting with a Helpline Supervisor in the branch they wish to volunteer in. This allows applicants to find out more about the training course and the role of a Helpline Volunteer. It allows us to ask about previous experience and interest in our work. Based on this information, the applicant may be offered a place on our Open College Network (OCN) accredited Parent Support and Guidance training course.

The Preparation Training Course

Please click here for more information on our PreparationTraining Course.

Final Selection Meeting:

At the conclusion of the Preparation Training Course, a final selection meeting takes place with a Helpline Supervisor. Applicants will be able to discuss their progress during the duration of the course and their suitability to begin volunteering. This, along with the assessment of participation and a completed journal, allows a decision to be made as to whether or not the applicant is accepted as a Helpline Volunteer.

If accepted, the Helpline Volunteer is asked to sign-up to the Parents Advice Centre's policies, procedures and confidentiality documents.

Not everyone who completes the training programme will automatically be accepted as a Helpline Volunteer.

Induction:

All successful new Helpline Volunteers complete a six month probation period, and work alongside an experienced Helpline Volunteer to allow for maximum support and supervision. This period is concluded with a further one-to-one meeting with a Helpline Supervisor.