Peer Support Group Leader - role description
Background to the kinship peer support group leader role
Funded by the Department for Education, our national Peer Support Service is helping to create a sustainable and life-changing legacy for kinship carers across England.
At Kinship we recognise the importance and impact of peer support and that peer support groups are a vital source of information, comfort, and a place to share experiences for kinship carers.
Support groups help to reduce the isolation felt by kinship carers by creating a space where they can come together and connect with others who have similar experiences. Make lasting friendships and support kinship carers in their caring role.
Group leaders play a vital role in starting new groups and growing them to reach as many kinship carers as possible.
You can download the role description below, and read about the roles and responsibilities.
More about becoming a kinship peer support group leader
Jump to the section you’d like to read and find out what the role entails.
Where and how
Commitment
Due to the needs of group members and to the level of investment in training we ask that volunteers can commit to at least 12 months. Frequency will depend on how regularly your group will meet.
The frequency and length of your support group is up to you and your group. Groups normally run for around one or two hours and can meet weekly, fortnightly, or monthly.
You will need to be available to attend the groups or delegate to someone else if you are unable to do so. This other person will also need to have undertaken the volunteer checks and training.
Outside of the meeting, you will need to put time aside to communicate with your members and to complete a short form after each group.
Location
Home based/an appropriate venue in your local area.
We are looking for someone who is:
- a kinship carer, has been a kinship carer or has personal experience of supporting kinship carers (family member, close friend, or kin-child)
- someone who can sensitively reflect on and share their experiences in a way that supports and empowers other kinship carers, without giving advice
- able to build a rapport with people and put them at ease
- able to communicate effectively using email
- have access to a telephone and a computer with the internet or a smart phone
- someone that feels confident to run a group and facilitate sometimes difficult discussions and will act where necessary for the purposes of safety and inclusion
What will you be doing?
As a support group leader your role is to:
- oversee the smooth running of the group and act where necessary for the purposes of the safety and inclusion of all group members
- promote the group and recruiting new members
- responsible for deciding on the structure of your group
- keep the group going over time
There are several things that you will need to take into consideration when running a support group.
Kinship is committed to providing you with the training and support to help you establish and maintain a successful support group.
What we ask of you
- you will need access to a telephone and a computer with the internet or a smart phone
- you will need to follow the charity’s confidentiality and data protection policies
- you will need to follow the charity’s brand guidelines
- help Kinship to collect group data which supports our feedback to funders and future applications for funds. No identifying data will be shared with funders
What support will you receive?
A named regional Volunteer Coordinator who will support you with practical guidance and help to create a successful support group. They’ll support:
- induction, training and ongoing support and supervision
- reimbursement for reasonable out of pocket expenses (on production of a receipt). Travel to your regular group is not included. Limited financial support to start your group if needed
- a space on Kinship’s Peer Support website to support the advertisement of your group
membership to our Kinship Network with opportunities to attend events and special kinship care events
Before you start
- you’ll meet with your Volunteer Coordinator to make sure the volunteer role is a good fit for you
- to support safe recruitment, we ask all our volunteers to undertake an Enhanced DBS check
- we will ask to provide the names of two people who have known you for at least two years who can offer a reference for you; this could be a colleague or friend, but not a family member
- you will be required to attend and complete the induction training sessions
How to apply
If you would like to set up a kinship peer support group in your local area – or online, you just need to fill in our expression of interest form below.
We’re just ask you some initial details on the form and then one of our Volunteer Coordinators will be in touch to set up an informal chat. There’s no pressure to commit.
It’s an opportunity for you to ask any questions you might have and find out more about the support we can give.
We’ll contact you within five working days.
Fill in our expression of interest form
We’ll contact you within five working days to set up an informal chat. Our friendly team will talk you through roles and responsibilities with no pressure to commit.
Fill in the form
