Befriending Co-ordinator

Purpose

The Befriending Co‑ordinator plays a key role in ensuring the success of Befriend a Child’s befriending programme by co‑ordinating and supporting safe, high‑quality befriending relationships between volunteers and children/young people.

You will lead on Befriend a Child’s Healthy Minds Befriending project, being the main point of contact for volunteers, families, children and partner agencies. You will promote the welfare and wellbeing of children and young people at all times and ensure that the befriending project achieves agreed targets and outcomes.

• Manage a befriending project (Healthy Minds Befriending project), from its inception through to evaluation, working to achieve agreed targets and outcomes
• Oversight of the befriending project budget
• Collate statistics and impact data and information on the befriending project for inclusion in project evaluation and funding reports

• Contribute to volunteer recruitment planning and campaigns
• Participate in informal chats, interviews and selection process of new volunteer befrienders, in line with organisational procedures
• Deliver high quality volunteer induction and training
• Identify ongoing volunteer training needs and support volunteers’ continued development
• Facilitate group training and peer support opportunities for volunteers

• Lead and participate in the matching process between volunteers and children/young people, including home visits
• Liaise with referrers and families to gather relevant information and ensure appropriate, safe and successful matches
• Provide regular supervision and support to volunteers throughout their befriending relationship
• Ensure monthly volunteer reports are submitted and reviewed
  
  Facilitate structured review meetings at 3, 6 and 10 months, and thereafter as required
• Identify and respond to any issues or safeguarding concerns promptly, escalating to the Befriending Manager where necessary

• Maintain accurate, comprehensive and confidential records for all befriending relationships in line with organisation policies
• Support annual programme evaluations by gathering feedback from volunteers, children/young people, parents/carers and referrers
• Produce case studies and written summaries for reporting and evaluation purposes
• Input into funder reports

• Work closely with the Befriending Manager to review volunteer availability and ensure the most effective use of resources
• Contribute to reducing waiting list times by supporting proactive volunteer engagement and timely matching
• Analyse and review project data monthly and provide feedback and recommendations to support service development
• Provide weekend cover for Playzone on an ad hoc basis, where required, outside of core working hours
• Participate in the on‑call rota

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with referring agencies including school, social work and other partner organisations
• Attend case conferences and multi‑agency meetings as required
• Respond to complaints or concerns relating to the Healthy Minds Befriending project, ensuring the Befriending Manager is kept informed
• Act as an ambassador for Befriend a Child, promoting the organisation and its services in a professional and positive manner

• Provide the Marketing and Communications team with stories, case studies and quotes for promotional use (with appropriate permissions)
• Contribute ideas and content for the volunteer newsletter
• Represent the charity at volunteer recruitment events as required
• Carry out any other duties appropriate to the role, as requested by the Befriending Manager, Head of Operations or the CEO

This job description outlines the main duties and responsibilities of the post. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. The postholder may be required to undertake other duties in line with the needs of the organisation.

• Minimum 1‑2 years’ experience in a relevant role
• Experie…