What training will I receive?

PREPARATION TRAINING

Parents Advice Centre (PAC) provides full training and support for all new Helpline Volunteers through an Open College Network (OCN) accredited training programme - the Parent Support and Guidance course. This course is comprised of 10 sessions normally run over 9 weeks; each training session is 3-hours followed by 1-2 hours home study (including some written work for assessment) each week. The tutor also provides support and feedback to help the applicant develop and enhance their skills and abilities.

The course focuses on ...

listening, communication, and basic counselling skills
the needs of children and child development
adolescent development
understanding stress in families
discipline and behaviour management
emotional, physical, and sexual abuse
prejudice and culture in our society
bereavement, separation, divorce and loss

This training is 'Rogerian' in style, and is aimed at developing the non-directive skills of Helpline Volunteers when dealing with callers.

During training, Helpline Volunteers are encouraged to explore their own attitudes to parenting issues in order to address possible prejudices or blockages to being non-judgemental.

Training is carried out in groups of 8-15 people, and time is allowed for participants to reflect upon their personal experiences and how these might have an impact upon their ability to function as a Helpline Volunteer.

At the end of the training course, applicants’ work is compiled into a portfolio for final assessment by the tutor. Those who successfully complete the course receive an OCN Northern Ireland certificate (6 Credits at Level 2).

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

PAC strives to ensure that Helpline Volunteers are appropriately trained and prepared to deal with a diverse range of issues. Therefore, a robust skills development programme is organised wherein a range of specialists deliver a broad and varied programme throughout the year. Typical workshops offered include: understanding disability and family life, self-harm, drug/solvent misuse and ADHD.