Volunteers help create a safe and nurturing environment where children and young people can grow and thrive, and they provide invaluable support to DCP workers, enabling them to dedicate more attention to the other aspects of child protection.

Read some of the things volunteers have said about the rewards of helping, tasks like supporting a new born baby and what the Minister and the Chief Executive have said about what Volunteers contribute.

Why volunteering?

Volunteering offers a wide range of benefits, including:

  • personal satisfaction and growth
  • support vulnerable children and your community
  • opportunity for social connection
  • extending your skills and experience
  • building professional reference
  • exploring new career paths.

How to become a volunteer with the Department for Child Protection:

Volunteers must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • complete a DHS Working with Children Check (WWCC)
    If you don't have one, our team can assist with the online process at no cost to you.

Volunteers with a valid South Australian driver's licence (P1 and P2, subject to task restrictions) are preferred, as the primary role involves transporting children.

However, opportunities for volunteers without a driver's licence may be available depending on local office needs.

Interested in volunteering? Contact the Volunteer Program team at 0492 000 743 or email DCPVolunteerProgram@sa.gov.au to get started.

Volunteer Roles

Volunteers take on various roles based on the office’s needs, such as:

  • Transport – this is the primary volunteer task. Volunteers are provided with government vehicles to drive children to family visits, respite care, school, or other appointments.
  • Life story book work – assisting children to create parts of their life story scrapbooks.
  • Events – assisting the office and region during themed week events and helping with activity days and Christmas parties.
  • Recreational activities – assisting children and young people to participate in extra-curricular activities.
  • Homework – support groups supporting children with homework.
  • Individual or group support –for example providing support to infants and young children who are admitted to hospital (such as comforting them, keeping them company, playing games).

Please note: Not all tasks may be available at every office.

FAQs

Yes! Volunteers are provided with two mandatory trainings held on two non-consecutive days:

*If you have already completed this training a photocopy of your certificate of attainment can be given to the volunteer coordinator.

  • Orientation Workshop – the workshop will provide you with an overview of the Department, the Volunteer Program and the roles and responsibilities of being a volunteer with DCP.
  • Safe Environment – Through Their Eyes* - this training will help you to identify, report, and respond to children or young people at risk of harm. It also helps to reflect on your own values, attitudes, and experiences, and understand how these may influence your reactions to child abuse and neglect.

Yes, all volunteers are covered by insurance while performing their roles. In addition, various policies are in place to protect you, ensuring a safe and positive environment for your volunteer work.

For more information please visit: Guideline of the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment Volunteers.

Volunteers are reimbursed for some mileage to and from the office and other pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses (conditions apply).

Every office has a Volunteer Coordinator who is responsible for managing and supporting the volunteer team.

Your volunteer coordinator will:

  • provide support, direction and guidance
  • coordinate all volunteer onboarding
  • answer any questions you might have
  • organise relevant training
  • coordinate Task Allocation Forms (TAF), vehicles and volunteer activitie

We appreciate any time volunteers can commit and ask for reliability and reasonable availability. Commitment may be weekly, fortnightly, or monthly, with opportunities available on both weekdays and weekends. Volunteers typically work during standard office hours, with a recommended maximum of 15 hours per week. Any additional time commitment can be arranged in consultation with the Volunteer Coordinator.

Volunteers are typically assigned to their local office. To find your local office please see Office Locations.

The onboarding process involves an initial interview with your Volunteer Coordinator, followed by a Working with Children Check, background and referee checks, and two non-consecutive training days. The entire process typically takes a few weeks before appointment.