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Student Placement with

The Society of St Vincent de Paul (SA) Inc 2010

Tim Taylor Vinnies Education schools@svdpsa.org.au Ph 8112 8725 Fax 8112 8798 Mob 0438 873 555

Last Updated: May 17, 2010

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Introduction Working with staff and volunteers at the St Vincent de Paul Society can be a rewarding and enriching experience. Students take placement at St Vincent de Paul for a variety of reasons including: To satisfy the Work Experience or PLP component of their studies To fulfill requirements of a Community Studies Programme or Christian Service Placement As a component of an external award, such as the Duke Of Edinburgh Award To express their interest in volunteering to meet the needs of others.

Being part of a group of young people who have decided to put their values into action.

This booklet is designed to help students to make the first contact ad to provide the information they need to make informed choices about how to spend time with the St Vincent de Paul Society.

We hope you enjoy your placement.

Tim Taylor Vinnies Education

Program Aims •

Service Education: The experience of ‘working ‘ within St Vincent de Paul services provides meaning around volunteering for others, social justice and the good works of the Society.

•

Safe, Supportive Work Experience: Students will demonstrate the adoption of safe work practices. They will be supported as they gain experience of working in an adult team and learn the value they offer to the community.

•

Opportunities for future involvement with the Society: The placement program will raise awareness of other opportunities for young people to be involved in ongoing volunteering, work in community service and social justice action.

•

Assist the Society in its good works: Priority will be given to young people who have demonstrated an interest in social justice, those at risk of being marginalised through limited opportunities for placement and those from schools who have an ongoing partnership with St Vincent de Paul Society.

Key Learning Competencies for Volunteers 1.

2.

Contributing to a culture of care • This includes understanding the ethos and mission of the Society, valuing its clients and customers and developing a spirit of service.

• This includes treating all with dignity, maintaining privacy and building respect.

Working with others • Demonstrate the ability to understand and follow instructions effectively and efficiently and complete various tasks as requested by supervisors Y:\School Resources\Publications\Placements Book.doc

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4.

• This includes being able to interact with others as part of a small team and on a one-to-one basis.

Communicating and sharing ideas and information • Volunteers should be able to communicate effectively with others, including staff and volunteers.

• They should show initiative by expressing concerns or queries and be open to share new ideas.

Safe work practices • Demonstrate the ability to follow safe work practices as instructed and communicate information relevant to their responsibilities with O H & S.

Induction Prior to attending the work placement all students will have undergone Induction training where they will be introduced to the mission and the wider good works of the Society. Induction Day will also provide a general introduction to work place safety, communication and responsibilities. On-site instruction will induct students to the local workplace, tasks and responsibilities.

Induction training will be held : • As part of a group placement. For example induction on the Monday followed by days of prearranged days of placement on the following days or • For individuals, on allocated school holiday dates (See below) For these young people, placement location will be coordinated at the conclusion of the Induction training.

Induction Programme The training includes: • • • • • •

Introduction to the Society, it’s mission, ethos, core values, structure and history The rights and responsibilities of volunteers and the organisation Introduction to Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare and the responsibilities of volunteers Our code of conduct General personnel matters, including: equal opportunity, confidentiality, child-safe environment, professional support and presentation & service.

A visit to the Vincentian Centre – a front line Special Work of the Society, assisting homeless men in Adelaide. Tours are conducted in the morning, when there are no clients in the building.

Where can I work?

Placements are granted according to the work available and the Society’s capacity to offer a positive learning experience. St Vincent de Paul Society is committed to providing a quality placement that meets its goals of education, safety and engagement.

Working in a Vinnies Family Centre About Vinnies Family Centres Vinnies Centres continue to provide a visual presence of the organisation in the community. The staff and volunteers that work in these centres are the ‘public face’ of the Society. There are 37 Vinnies Centres in the city and rural areas. Vinnies provide low cost clothing and household items in a dignified, friendly environment. Operational surplus made from these retail sites is directly used by the local conference to help people seeking assistance.

Vinnies Centres are constantly receiving quality donations from the public and these are sorted into family assistance, retail and recyclable items. The centres provide a modern welcoming appearance. Vinnies Centres provide almost half the funds needed to support services provided to those in need. These programs include working with those who are hungry, homeless, struggling with financial difficulty, alone or dealing with a mental illness.

What are the range of volunteer opportunities at a Vinnies Family Centre?

Every Vinnies Centre is different but they have a few things I common. They all have a Centre Manager and a team of volunteers who assist in many and various ways. You may be asked to sort items such as: clothing, jewellery, books, glassware – there are so many wonderful things people donate! You may be asked to clean some furniture, ready to sell in the shop or prepare items to be picked up for delivery elsewhere. You may be helping a customer find that special gift or helping arrange a display.

The Centre Manager will direct your work for the day and may set you to work with another volunteer of by yourself. You would normally spend at least a couple of days at a Vinnies Centre. In this time you will do a variety of tasks and get a feel for the range of services they offer.

Placement Locations = maximum of one placement = maximum of two placements Y:\School Resources\Publications\Placements Book.doc

Page 4 On the return form, you will be asked to select preferences. We cannot always guarantee your preference.

Vinnies Centres which are Greyed are unavailable at this time.

Street – (seasonal only) Brighton (See Hove) Christies Beach 27b Beach Rd 5165 Elizabeth 8 Langford Drv Felixstow 499a Payneham Rd Gawler 14 Adelaide Rd Hawthorn 21 Abbotshall Rd Hindmarsh 272a Port Rd Holden Hill Shop A/ 616 North East Rd

Hove [Called Brighton] 365 Brighton Rd Kidman Park Vinnies 308 320 Grange Rd Mt Barker rear 40 Gawler St 5251 Morphett Vale 90 Main South Rd Norwood 70 The Parade Para Vista Milne Rd (cnr

Nelson Rd) Port Adelaide 87 Commercial Rd Prospect 92a Prospect Rd Royal Park 32a Tapleys Hill Rd Salisbury 37 John St Semaphore 57a Semaphore Rd Taperoo 356 Victoria Rd 5017 Torrensville Shop 1/ 186 Henley Beach Rd

Working at Kidman Park Distribution Centre Located at … 308 - 320 Grange Road, Kidman Park. 5025 Due to renovations, the Distribution Centre will not be available until after July.

About the Kidman Park Distribution Centre Kidman Park Distribution Centre manages the collection, sorting and distribution of clothing and furniture. This centre is separate from the Vinnies family Centre at the same site. Much surplus furniture is sold here. Placement here is dependent on current stock on hand.

Working in State Administration Centre About the State Administration Centre – including the Call Centre The State Administration Centre is located at Ozanam House, 202 Franklin St. Its workers support the work of volunteers throughout the state. Donations and other finance matters, employment matters, Occupational Health and Safety, Vinnies Education, Youth Development, Special Programmes, Volunteer Coordination, Centres Administration and our Public Relations and Fundraising all base their administration in our ‘Ozanam House’ offices at 202 Franklin St. It is also from this centre that we communicate with interstate offices, forming part of the national Vinnies network.

What are the range of volunteer opportunities at the State Administration Office?

The range of tasks here is as wide as the ability of the individual student. Students on placement in our administration centre might be there during a special 'appeal' time and be caught up in the rush of badge selling, kit preparation and letter distribution. There is filing, organising, research to be done and the confident computer user can use their skills to find articles, save them and summarise them for future reference. They might also design a brochure or contribute to an online resource. All activities in an office environment remain focused on the individuals we assist.

The St Vincent de Paul Society Call Centre is the first point of contact for those ringing the Society for assistance. Students who have placement with the staff at the call centre will typically spend a day in the centre, either on Tuesday or Wednesday.

What are the placement hours?

Hours vary depending on the venue. You will be advised on the hours when your placement is confirmed. Note that some hours extend beyond school times and volunteers are expected to stay for their allocated time.

What do I wear?

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Page 5 It is usual to wear closed footwear in workplaces. Heels should be avoided as there are some workplaces where there are a variety of floor surfaces. Dress needs to be semi-casual, modest and practical enough to be able to do a variety of tasks. The St Vincent de Paul Society is a Christian organisation formed within the Catholic Church. We are about upholding the dignity of each person and being people of hope. Therefore, clothing needs to not contain any messages or images will be offensive to your co-workers, our clients or to the general public.

What do I bring?

Bring your own lunch and keep a water bottle handy. Although it is fine to have your mobile phone, this should never interrupt your work and certainly never be left on when you are in conversations with your co-workers or clients. In this way, we can be sure that we focus on the relationships we have with those around us.

How do I apply?

If you are interested in applying for the placement as a volunteer through Vinnies Education, please do the following: •

• •

Download the Placement Consent Form and Media Consent forms here. Complete and fax back. To FAX 08 8112 8798.

Please ensure you complete the preferred dates. You will be advised of your induction day o If you are part of a school’s bulk placement, placements will be pre-arranged and the supervising teacher will be advised. o If you are applying as an individual, you will confirm your placement with Zone Coordinators on the induction day.

If you have special circumstances or need further information. Phone Vinnies Education (08 8112 8725) or Email education@svdpsa.org.au Other helpful llinks: o How to find Ozanam House, 202 Franklin Street, Adelaide. Picture and map here

What if this is my second or subsequent placement?

If you have been placed with Vinnies at an earlier time, contact us to find out if you need to undertake induction or whether you are able to be placed directly.

Our location: 202 Franklin Street, Adelaide

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Media Release and Viewing Permission – for people under 18 years of age.

FAX Return to Tim Taylor 8112 8798

Sent By:

Date:

Sender’s Fax Number:

Permission to view clips from ‘We Can Be Heroes’ series.

I give permission for _________________________________ to view selected segments of the ABC Series ‘We Can be Heroes,’ Rated M, to be used as a discussion starter at a workshop with the St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Inc. I understand that the sections used contain a little moderate language.

Media Release – permission to use photos/videos etc for Society purposes.

I _________________________ give permission / do not give permission (strike out as appropriate) to the St Vincent de Paul Society (Known as ‘the Society’) to use the audio and/or visual image(s) & likeness(es), of ________________________________ taken as part of participation in student placement with the Society for the promotion or educational programmes of the Society.

I acknowledge that the audiovisual information may be used in printed materials, online media, including the Society’s websites to further the work of the Society and will be used in a way that shows discretion, upholds the dignity of the individual and enhances the Society’s image.

Signed _________________________________ Parent / Guardian Parent Guardian Full Name: _________________________________________ Name of student’s school: _____________________________ Placement Date from ________________ to ____________________

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FAX RETURN to Tim Taylor

Fax: 8112 8798 Vinnies Placement Student Information & Consent Form School: Surname: ............................................First Names: ……………………………...

Student Address: …………………………………………………………………………………………………

Placement Dates: Please write dates and times preferred Emergency contacts – in order of preference.

Priority

Name

Relationship to student

Phone Number

(Mother, Father, Aunt etc)

School Contact Person: ………………………….……………...Phone number: ……………………

Has the school been notified of this placement ____ In the event of a problem relating to behaviour, the school contact person will be telephoned.

Health Information: Do you suffer from any physical ailments, conditions or allergies that are relevant to placement at St Vincent de Paul Society? Yes/No If Yes, please give details (include action that must be taken in a special emergency): ………………………. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………(Add extra page if needed) I give permission for the student named above to be involved in a placement with St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Inc on the understanding that, in the event of illness or accident, the emergency contact shall be notified as soon as possible. If they cannot be contacted, I authorize the person in charge to obtain the services of a suitably qualified medical practitioner and to convey the student to a place suitable for treatment. I undertake to cover the costs of any unmet expenses incurred. I understand that I am responsible for transportation and any costs associated with the student travelling to and from the work placement.

Parent / Guardian Signature ________________________ Name: _______________ Please circle your preferences and write 1,2 & 3 for your preferences.. Sites have a limit of one or two student placements.

Placements cannot be guaranteed your as people are sometimes placed through other placement programmes.

Placement Locations = maximum of one placement = maximum of two placements Please tick if you are happy to be placed at Kidman Park Distribution Centre 308 -320 Grange Rd any Vinnies Centre.

State Administration Centre including the Call Centre at Ozanam House, 202 Franklin Street – (seasonal only) Brighton (See Hove) Christies Beach 27b Beach Rd 5165 Elizabeth 8 Langford Drv Felixstow 499a Payneham Rd Gawler 14 Adelaide Rd Hawthorn 21 Abbotshall Rd Hindmarsh 272a Port Rd Holden Hill Shop A/ 616 North East Rd Hove [Called Brighton] 365 Brighton Rd Kidman Park Vinnies 308 -320 Grange Rd

(Seasonal only)

Mt Barker rear 40 Gawler St 5251 Morphett Vale 90 Main South Rd Norwood 70 The Parade Para Vista Milne Rd (cnr Nelson Rd) Port Adelaide 87 Commercial Rd Prospect 92a Prospect Rd Royal Park 32a Tapleys Hill Rd Salisbury 37 John St Semaphore 57a Semaphore Rd Taperoo 356 Victoria Rd 5017 Torrensville Shop 1/ 186 Henley Beach Rd Y:\School Resources\Publications\Placements Book.doc