Volunteer Approval Panel Members

Become a Volunteer Approval Panel Member with Ategi!

Who we are...

We are a registered charity and have been delivering services in Wales and England to people needing our support and assistance for almost 30 years. Our head office and central services operate from Pontypridd in Wales, and we have additional satellite offices in Buckinghamshire and South Gloucestershire.

With almost 300 carers and approximately 80 employees we provide three core service types: Shared Lives, Community Support and Supported Living. All providing support to adults with needs to live their best lives their way, by helping them to live independent and fulfilled lives. We provide support to people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities, people with mental health conditions and older people.

Each employee, trustee and volunteer plays a vital part in the delivery of services regardless of their role. One of the charity’s key strengths is its personality. We have the determination and enthusiasm to make a difference to the lives of others.

What we do...

Ategi Shared Lives is similar to foster care but for adults. Adults with additional needs are matched with carers who provided varying levels of support in their own home. Whilst a professional model of care, it is based on the foundations of a more informal family environment - sharing lives. Self-employed Shared Lives carers are recruited, trained and supported by Ategi to provide support. Activities can range from assistance with cooking, shopping to help to access health appointments and hobbies. Shared Lives can support people with a range of needs, including learning disabilities, mental health conditions, and physical disabilities.

Each new Shared Lives carer application undergoes a thorough assessment by an Ategi co-ordinator. Then, if successful, it will progress to presentation and consideration at the Shared Lives panel. Ategi is seeking people to sit on that panel to bring their experiences and view points to the decision making process.

What a panel member does?

• Contributing to the quality assurance process by reading, reviewing and auditing assessment documentation
• To attend panel meetings, raise clarification questions and provide feedback contribute to the ongoing improvement of our carer approval process
• To recommend the approval and de-approval of carers
• Keep up to date with policy and training relevant to your role
• Maintain confidentiality at all times, in line with the confidentiality policy
• To comply with the Code of Conduct

The Approval Panel is not the final decision maker for Shared Lives and the final decision lies with Ategi. The panel meets every 6 weeks via online meetings. Attendance is not compulsory at every panel meet up. We would expect at least 5 meetings to be attended over a year for which there will be 8 meetings in total that we conduct annually.

Who we are looking for?

• A keen interest in or knowledge of legislation, policy and practice relevant to service for adults with care and support needs i.e: Care Quality Commission, Safeguarding Adults etc.
• A sound understanding of Shared Lives as a model is highly desirable but is not essential.
• Good interpersonal skills; can easily build rapport and the ability to understand the auditing process
• Evidence based decision making and the ability to make objective judgement based on written evidence
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Commitment to non-judgemental and anti-discriminatory practice
• Ability to commit time to sitting on the panel and to commit time to reading through assessments documents thoroughly

Experience of working in the social care or not-for-profit sector would be an advantage but is not essential.

To apply please send a covering letter why you are interested in becoming a volunteer panel member and what experience you may have relevant to this role, to [email protected]. Please also attach an up to date CV (If available)

For the interested candidates we could always send our recruitment brief for further reference to gain more details on the position.

Closing date will be 25th November 2023 and applications will be reviewed regularly.