Volunteers (CWSV)
Volunteering Opportunities
About the Child Witness Support Program
How to become a PACT Inc. Volunteer
Do you have some spare time on your hands and are wishing to provide support to members of your local community? If so, PACT Volunteering might just be what you are looking for.
The PACT Inc. Volunteer role is extremely rewarding with support being provided to children required to give evidence in the criminal justice system, by providing them with information and assistance throughout the court process. An important factor to consider is that the Court process is unpredictable, so Volunteers must be very flexible with their availability in order to best support our clients. PACT Inc. sometimes receives short notice in relation to the rescheduling of Court dates.
Whilst Volunteers are not allowed to discuss the details of the cases with the child or family due to confidentiality, they are exposed to disturbing details about what the child has experienced. Adequate debriefing and support mechanisms have been established to enable Volunteers to discuss any concerns with the Volunteer Coordinator, their Team Leader or fellow Volunteers.
If selected, PACT Inc. Volunteers undergo extensive training to ensure they have the appropriate knowledge to best support the children and families accessing PACT Inc. services.
Please fill out the Application Form after reading the Job Description and responding to the Key Selection Criteria and forward it to PACT Inc. for consideration.
PACT Inc. generally has two Volunteer intakes each year with advertisements placed in the local print and radio media.
Job Description and Key Selection Criteria
Volunteer Recruitment Brochure
PACT Volunteer Recruitment Advertisement - September 2007
The selection panel meets to consider each application and determine whether an Interview will be held. At interview, applicants are provided with specific information about the role and have the opportunity to ask any questions or raise concerns they may have. PACT Inc. has found that it is often at this stage of the process that people self-determine that PACT work is not suitable for them.
If applicants wish to continue with their application they are offered the opportunity to participate in the Volunteer Training Program.
Compulsory Training
Training is usually conducted over a number of weeks and generally runs for 7 days in total. The Training provides Volunteers with extensive information about the Court process, the people involved and the requirements of a PACT Inc. Volunteer. Trainees receive presentations from members of the legal profession,, Queensland Police Service and visit their local Courts.
At the completion of the Training, new Volunteers are supervised by their Team Leader for a number of cases, until they are able to operate on their own.
The Compulsory Blue Card – what it is – what it entitles you to – how to obtain –
- The Blue Card Info sheet (outlining obligations of applicants)
- Volunteer Application Form (for applicants who do not have a current blue card)
- Authorisation Confirmation for Blue Card Form (for applicants who do have a current Blue Card)
All Volunteers working with children are required to hold a current Blue Card. Application Forms can be submitted by PACT Inc. to the Commission for Children and Young People.