How it works - Information for volunteers
How it works.
Volunteer Information
We are a new organisation started by a group of students looking to make a difference to the lives of students in out of home care. All members of our team are unpaid volunteers looking to help out where possible. We accept volunteers looking to offer their time where and when it is needed. We believe in the power of a group of students trying to make a big impact in an effective and efficient way. We encourage all students (or recent students especially from Penrith and Western Sydney) to apply to be a volunteer. We will aim to provide you with a match as soon as possible, however given the sporadic lives of youth in out of home care we cannot guarantee that you will be given a match after training.
Screening and Training
The first step in the process is the initial screening. This is where you tell us a bit about yourself, your university degree, what subjects you can tutor, and why you want to be a volunteer. Conditional on meeting basic requirements we will arrange a brief face to face chat to talk about the program and learn more about you.
As a charity that works with youth, we have policies in place to ensure the safety of youth in the program and the safety of our volunteers. Before any volunteering can take place volunteers will take part in a training session to learn more about tutoring, key information they may need, where to go to look for support, and hear from volunteers who have previously tutored youth in the care system. This will also be a good opportunity to meet other volunteers.
A Match is found!
Foster the Future will then attempt to find you a suitable match. Once a match is found your details will be passed on to the youth’s guardian, and if approved information will then be provided to you about the tutoring arrangement. If a mutually available time can be agreed upon then the match will go ahead!
The Semester Ahead
Volunteers will then meet with their youth once a week for tutoring in a public place (for example a public library or the student’s school) for approximately 12 weeks during the semester. Flexibility may be available with prior approval from our team. Support will always be available to volunteers during this time period, and regular check-ups will occur. Get involved and help make a difference to those who need it here .