Volunteers play a key role within the department and are a valuable part of the child protection system.
Volunteers must be aged 18 or older and must undergo a DHS working with children check.
Volunteers must be reliable and available for a reasonable amount of time. This may be weekly, fortnightly or monthly on weekends and weekdays.
Types of volunteer roles
Volunteers are assigned to an office and can take on a range of roles such as:
- transport – driving a child to family visits, respite care, school or other appointments
- life story book work – helping children in care with parts of their life story work scrapbooks
- promotional activities – being involved in promoting the department during Youth Week or Child Protection Week
- recreational activities – helping with fun days, sports days, Christmas parties, theme week events or picnics with a child, group of young people or families.
What to expect as a volunteer
As a volunteer you can expect training, supervision and ongoing support.
Induction workshop
Volunteer induction occurs over 2 non-consecutive days, and covers:
- information about the department
- your rights and responsibilities as a volunteer
- performance expectations
- skill-building and self-awareness elements
- compulsory child safe environment training.
If you have already completed the child safe environments training, a copy of your certificate can be given to the volunteer coordinator.
Volunteer coordinators
Volunteers are supported by a volunteer coordinator who will manage your role and organise appropriate training.
Benefits of volunteering
Benefits include:
- personal satisfaction and growth
- helping your community and vulnerable children
- social contact with a variety of people
- extending your skills and experience
- obtaining a reference
- boosting career options.
Get involved
To register your interest, contact the volunteer coordinator at your nearest Department for Child Protection location.