Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable People Handbook

ANNEXURES CONT’D

Additional guidelines for Community Care Volunteers:

This includes regular phone support, visits from the Community Care Co-ordinator, regular peer support meetings and counselling if required. St John SA will train and support volunteers to support specific client needs e.g vision impairment, disability etc. Transportation of clients: We appreciate that in the delivery of the Community Care Program, members will need to transport clients in a one to one situation. However, if volunteers are transporting clients, they must: Hold a current valid Australian or International drivers licence (not a provisional licence) Ensure their vehicle is registered and carries compulsory third party property insurance Ensure their vehicle is in safe operating condition, clean and tidy, with any loose items appropriately secured prior to transporting clients Advise the Program Co-ordinator of any infringements such as speeding fines or license suspension as and when they occur. St John SA will train and support volunteers with any specific transportation accessibility requirements of individual clients (eg oxygen tanks; wheel chairs; visually impaired) Child involvement with the Community Care Program: Requirements pertaining to the involvement of children in the Community Care program: Community Care volunteers should not take their own children to a client visit (unless it is an activity which does not involve the client e.g. dog walking). Check with your Community Care Co-ordinator if you are unsure If the Community care client has a child/ children present in the house for a visit or their carer is under the age of 18, the volunteer must never be in a situation where they are alone with the child/children.

In addition to adhering to the St John SA code of conduct and policy and procedures, Community Care volunteers are required to relate to clients in such a way as to protect their dignity, respect their privacy and maintain confidentiality. Volunteers must not: Provide first aid Counsel clients or provide medical advice Assist with personal care such as showering and toileting Become involved or interfere in family situations Take another person or child with them while they carry out their duties Accept or give gifts other than those of a nominal value Become involved in the management of client’s financial affairs or accept responsibility for a client’s property Accept money from the client (except in accordance with the “handling client money” procedures). Age requirements for Community Care Volunteers: All Community Care Volunteers MUST be over the age of 18 years to qualify for service. Support available for Community Care Clients and Volunteers: There are safe practices and processes in place throughout the delivery of this program to ensure that both clients and volunteers have the support they need and understand their responsibilities and expectations. Clients and volunteers are provided a handbook when they enrol in the program which clearly articulates the rights of the client, the volunteer roles and responsibilities, and procedures to be followed. Please refer to the Community Care Volunteer Handbook and the Community Care Client handbook for further information. There is also a comprehensive support plan in place to ensure the safety of the client and support for the volunteer in carrying out their community care duties.

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Member Handbook July 2016 St John Ambulance SA Inc