What does PAC look for in a Helpline Volunteer?

The role of the Helpline Volunteer requires a special combination of skills, qualities and experience.

Parents Advice Centre's (PAC) Helpline Volunteers must ...

have substantial parenting experience and/or significant experience of working with families;
have good communication and interpersonal skills;
be able to complete PAC’s OCN Level 2 accredited preparation training course;
have a reasonable standard of written and spoken English;
be comfortable using a telephone;
be able to work a minimum of one three-hour rota per week, and to attend monthly supervision group meetings and skills development workshops;
be reliable;
be willing to question their own attitudes e.g. different forms of parenting;
have a commitment to a non-judgmental, non-directive approach to supporting callers.

It is desirable that Helpline Volunteers have IT skills, and the ability to commit to the organisation for a minimum of one year.

Student Placements

As PAC is not a counselling organisation, we cannot offer ‘placements’ to counselling students. All our Helpline Volunteers work within the same procedures, whatever their qualifications, and, so, it is not possible to guarantee any individual Helpline Volunteer a minimum number of face-to-face client contact hours. Similarly, all Helpline Volunteers have to complete our own accredited preparation training prior to commencing work on the helpline - regardless of what other qualifications they may hold. However, many of our Helpline Volunteers are studying towards, or already possess, certificates and diplomas in counselling, and find volunteering with the PAC Helpline and Appointment service very rewarding.