Panel member for virtual Shared Lives panels

We’re looking for a panel member on our virtual shared lives panels. 

Volunteering in our shared lives services   

Volunteering in Shared Lives is a great way to meet new people and get involved with your local community. Shared Lives is an incredible service, made even more amazing by the people involved, from our volunteers to our carers to our PSS staff. Volunteering in this service gives you the opportunity to be a part of helping spread the word about Shared Lives, and helping our communities grow.  

We’re a friendly bunch at PSS, so you’ll always have a warm welcome and the opportunity to learn something new or develop your skills if possible. We believe everyone has something to offer, and we couldn’t do what we do at PSS without our wonderful volunteers. 

What is a panel member?  

As our Shared Lives panel volunteer, you’ll be working with other volunteers, staff, current carers and people who are supported by Shared Lives to help us recruit more amazing carers. Being on our Shared Lives panel means you’ll assess potential Shared Lives carers by making sure they’re the best carers they can be.   

This is a super important role as we have to make sure we’re only recruiting carers who match our values and have a passion for helping others. The panel have the big responsibility of making sure PSS Shared Lives is providing the happiest and safest future for the people who use this service.   

What will I do in my role?  

As our panel volunteer, you’ll put the P in professionalism. You’ll have a big role to play in giving someone the life they deserve with a carer who’s perfectly suited to support their journey. You’ll be given clear guidance from the scheme which will include recommendations you can give when considering a Shared Lives carer at assessment or during review. You’ll also need to understand our panel processes inside out and put these into practice. This might look like this:  

• Keeping up-to-speed on the requirements needed to qualify as a carer; 
• Support the assessment process in line with our procedures and codes of conduct; 
• Be open and fair in everything you do, especially in your decision-making; 
• Review panel reports that have sensitive information, making sure they’re kept confidential – how you’d want to be treated if it was your own information. 
• Be clued up on our health and safety policies and guidance on risk assessment and management.   
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What we need from you  

You’ll show commitment to our PSS values; by using your big heart, open mind, genuine nature, determination, and professionalism to make sure PSS Shared Lives is being the best it can be. You’ll be a shining example to other carers to show them how things are done at PSS. We’re also looking for someone who will be:    

• You’ll have the gift of the gab and be a people person through and through. You’ll have great communication skills and feel comfortable talking to new people.  
• You’ll be an advocate for all things Shared Lives – but who isn’t anyway? It’s such an amazing service.  
• You’ll feel confident following the policies we have in place around health and safety and risk management.  
• You’ll be non-judgmental and passionate about getting the right carers to join Shared Lives.  

 Your Learning and development  

We will offer full training for this role to ensure you have the tool’s you need to assess potential carers.  

• The opportunity to attend our online Volunteer Induction.  
• You will complete our panel training (on our LMS system or with the panel development worker). 
• Have a professional discussion with our panel development worker regarding the training and how you found it.   
• observe one of our panels to see if this is something you are interested in  

If you are interested in volunteering, get in touch with Abi, our volunteer coordinator: email [email protected] or call 07764469365.