A.S.S.C. (Accompaniment Support Services for Children): Volunteers Needed
FORENSIC AND COURT SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN
We specialise in providing court and forensic accompaniment to young people and their families who have been victims of crime, or witnesses to crime.
Do you think you have some spare time to support these young people and their families, in a kind, compassionate and non-judgemental way?
We are currently looking for volunteers in and around Galway City.
Our Court service offers:
- Pre-trial meetings to familiarise the young person and their family with the layout of the court.
- DVD statement viewing accompaniment, to give moral support.
- Trial accompaniment, to offer emotional and practical support.
- Phone support, both pre- and post-trial. (Provided by staff)
- Our Forensic/Medical support gives emotional and practical support to the young person and their family when they attend a unit for examination at the Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Treatment Service (CASATS), Barnahus West, Galway.
If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you.
No formal qualifications are required. All we look for is empathy, a willingness to help and to be able to treat each person with dignity and respect.
- You will need to live in or around Galway City.
- Be over 22 years of age
- Have excellent English.
For Court accompaniment you will need to have daytime availability. and able to offer 1 shift per week. Please note that if there is no case during your chosen day you do not attend the Court. We offer support in the District Courts, Criminal Courts of Justice, Dublin, and other Courts around the country.
For Forensic/ Medical Accompaniment you will also need to offer to attend one shift per week and again, if there is no case during your chosen time, you would not attend the Unit. The Unit operates 24 hours a day, throughout the year. This allows you more choice with your slot.
Training and supervision are provided. Training will take place in Galway at the end of January 2025.
Training schedule –
- Open Night – on zoom – Wednesday, 15 January at 6.30pm. This is an opportunity to meet the team and ask questions.
- Informal interviews – on zoom – Saturday 18 January from 10am and Monday 20 January from 3pm
- Training - in person – Saturday 25, Sunday 26 January, Saturday 8 February Sunday 9 February 2025. Training starts at 0930 and ends at 4pm approximately. Attendance is required for all 4 days
When training is completed, we will require 2 references and garda vetting.