Are you passionate about helping others? Do you want to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable families? Have you considered working in the Charity Sector and are you passionate about supporting Volunteers? If so, we want to hear from you!
Home-Start Medway is a well-established Charity which has been supporting parents with children aged 0-5 years since 1987. Our ethos is simple and clear, ‘To be there for parents when they need us the most because childhood cannot wait’.
It's an exciting time to join our growing team. Having been identified as a leading light amongst Home-Starts and recently received the Kent Charity Award for best use of volunteers and the Queens Award for Voluntary service, we are now looking for a new Volunteer Co-ordinator.
The Volunteer Co-ordinator is responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of Volunteers who provide 1-1 support to parents / carers of children aged 0-5 years, sometimes providing direct support themselves.
Job Title: Volunteer Co-ordinator
Employer: Home-Start Medway (Charity no: 1108057)
Location: Medway
Hours of Work: Part time and Full time hours considered
Salary: £26,355 – £29,190 per annum dependent on experience
Closing date: 18.09.2026
Responsible to: CEO
Main Responsibilities
· Work co-operatively with other team members to recruit and train volunteers and maintain a satisfactory level of available volunteers to meet demand.
· Manage a case load of families who are referred to the Scheme, matching them with appropriate volunteers and overseeing this support.
· Work with partners to review and design the volunteer training courses so that they include specialist models as identified by client need.
· Ensure essential records and checks for volunteers are accurate and up to date.
· Match appropriate volunteers with families and introduce them / monitor support.
· Provide support and supervision to volunteers that are working with families on your caseload.
· Provide regular bulletins / newsletters to volunteers and potential volunteers to retain enthusiasm and motivation.
· Develop and facilitate Volunteer social events and support meetings.
· Maintain accurate records of the support provided for families on our database system.
· Support parent to enrich their living environments by applying for grants for white goods or furniture when needed.
· To refer to and / or work in partnership with other agencies and service providers as and when required.
· To model age appropriate play activities to parents/carers and offer a range of strategies and activities to manage behaviour and assist child development.
· Signpost families to parenting groups that can support them such as the Solihull course or Incredible Years.
· Signpost parents / carers to relevant services to ensure they have the necessary provisions to meet their child/ren’s needs.
· Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development.
· To attend regular supervision meetings and annual appraisal.
· Work co-operatively with Management to support the preparation of the monthly, quarterly and annual reporting requirements.
· To contribute to the effective day to day operation of Home-Start Medway in accordance with governing documents, standards and methods of practice, Home –Start agreement and Quality Assurance standards.
· To keep efficient, accurate and confidential records, including statistics collection and collation. This would include the use of evaluation tools to enable us to evidence the impact of our work.
· To work within all Home-Start’s policies and procedures including: Confidentiality, Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures and Health and Safety Policies.
· Be flexible and carry our other associated duties as may arise, develop, or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position.
· To work within the ethos of Home-Start and have high standards of practice. The need to respect confidentiality is paramount, as is a mature and flexible approach to the work.
Person Specification:
Education and qualifications:
Good standard of education (Degree or equivalent experience)
Relevant IT skills
A positive attitude about and willingness to undertake further training as necessary for the role.
Travel requirements:
Full Clean driving licence and access to a vehicle
Whilst the post is based in Strood, travel across the Medway area will be a key requirement
Employment history:
Relevant previous / current employment or voluntary work
Experience supporting families:
Experience of working with parents/carers with children aged 0-5 years
Experience of working with families with complex needs
A good understanding of the challenges that parenting presents
A good knowledge of child development and understanding of games, activities, arts and crafts that support children’s development.
A good understanding of the needs of families with young children
Commitment to the development of play opportunities for children of all abilities.
Knowledge of suitable strategies and techniques that would enable parents / carers to manage their child/ren’s behaviour.
Effective communication skills with adults and children.
Ability to lift and carry, e.g. equipment and children.
Reliability, enthusiasm, creativity and sense of humour.
Safeguarding:
A commitment to uphold our policies and procedures to ensure that parents/carers, children, staff and volunteers are safeguarded at all times.
Partnership working:
Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, funders and other professional organisations.
Ability to work as a member of a team.
Contribution to the development of Home-Start locally, regionally and nationally
Personal Qualities:
Ability to work on own initiative
Understanding the need for professional confidentiality
Commitment to equality of opportunity, Inclusion and
diversity.
A positive and creative approach to tackling tasks
Flexibility
Able to work flexibly, some occasional evening and weekend work may be required
Desirable:
· Knowledge of the roles of agencies providing services for children and families
· Experience of delivering training
· Experience of line management / supervision of staff or volunteers
· Knowledge of Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Equality of Opportunity and Diversity.
· Experience of planning age appropriate activities to support children’s development.
· First Aid Qualification.
· Experience of dealing with difficult behaviour.
. Trained to deliver accredited parenting programmes such as Triple P, Solihull, Incredible years or the Phoenix Programme
This role is a permanent post. You will be based at our office in Strood although will be required to work across the Medway area. As well as joining a friendly, dedicated, and hardworking team you will have access to numerous benefits, including:
· 30 days annual leave (including 8 Bank Holidays)
· 2 days special leave days per year
· Birthday leave day
· Free tea and coffee provided in the office
· Pension contribution of 3%
· Christmas staff appreciation token
· Annual pay reviews
· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) via D.A.S
· Access to the Charity Worker Discount Scheme
Access to a reduced-price local gym membership
Home Start Medway is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for children, families, staff and volunteers. As part of our safer recruitment process, the successful applicant will be asked to complete relevant pre employment checks, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check, satisfactory references, right to work checks and verification of qualifications and employment history. All staff are expected to share our commitment to safeguarding and to follow our safeguarding policies and procedures.
If you are interested in applying for this post, please email [email protected] for an application form. Please note completed application forms will need to be submitted by 18.09.2026
Pay: £26,355.00-£29,190.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
