Befriending Registration Form

1:1 BEFRIENDING SERVICE: REFERRAL CRITERIA (B&NES)

This information is intended to give an understanding of the level of support and service a volunteer is able to give to a disabled child or young person and their family. 

It is a guide to help identify appropriate referrals to Time2Share@WECIL.  If you have any queries, please contact the Co-ordinator to discuss them before making your referral.

If you would like to discuss a referral please ring Cleis Masterson (B&NEs Co-ordinator) 07759197249 or email: cleis.masterson@wecil.co.uk

WHO IS THE BEFRIENDING SERVICE APPROPRIATE FOR? 

THE SERVICE IS SUITABLE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO:

• Are resident in Bath and North East Somerset
• Have an identified disability as defined in the Equality Act 2010 and/or have been assessed by or who are known to social care
• Are aged 0 -19yrs. 
• Are able to form an ongoing befriending relationship with a volunteer for at least 12 months.
• Have behaviour which allows a volunteer to look after them safely 1:1.  We are not able to place a volunteer with a child who has unpredictable or unmanageable behaviour which could place themselves and others at risk in a 1:1 situation with a volunteer.
• Need or would benefit from 1:1 support to achieve more independence from their primary carers and take part in social and leisure activities.
• Have a parent or carer who would benefit from a short break.
• Would ideally like a volunteer for between 2-4 hours a week on a regular basis.

 

THE BEFRIENDING SERVICE IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR DISABLED CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WHO:

• Need help with intimate personal care or frequent help with lifting and moving.
• Need help with medication or medical procedures from their volunteer.
• Have a home situation which would cause their volunteer to be unsafe when visiting (i.e. other persons within the home, hygiene and basic safety standards within the home).
• Need a volunteer to stay after midnight.
• Are in crisis - it may take some months before a suitable volunteer is found and placed.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

To establish a successful link it is important that the parent / carer is able to make and adhere to arrangements with their volunteer.  It is also important that they are able to respond to requests for information from Time2Share@WECIL.  If the family does not use the volunteer or contact them within 6 weeks of offer we will review the link and move the volunteer.  We will ask the family to re-contact us when they feel able to go ahead.