The Description of Placement (Agency)

The Description of Placement (Agency)

[Date of Submission]

Introduction3

Discussion3

The Aim and Services of Colne Open Doors Centre3

The Equal Opportunity Policy of Open Doors Centre4

The Team of Colone Open Doors Centre4

The Multi-Disciplinary Working of Colne Open Doors Centre5

My Experience working with Colne Open Doors Centre6

The Services of the Wish Centre in Blackburn6

The Equal Opportunity Policy of Wish Centre7

The Multi-Disciplinary Working and Team of Wish Centre in Blackburn7

My Experience working with the wish Centre10

Conclusion11

The Description of Placement (Agency)

Introduction

This assignment gives a detailed description of the placements I used to complete my volunteer counselling as part of this Diploma in counselling. I will attempt to describe how the organisations work, what they offer to the community and how they are structured. I will also investigate the obligations I had to fulfil as a volunteer and how the organisations cater for the general public in respect of age, gender, race and disability.

Discussion

The Aim and Services of Colne Open Doors Centre

The first institute/organisation is a project called Colne Open Doors Centre, established in March 2000; it is a registered company and charity by a group called “Colne Churches Together”, with an aim to respond to the needs of Colne and its surrounding towns and villages. It states that it does this mainly but not exclusively for the marginalised, vulnerable and disadvantaged. It does not work alone in this as it opens its premises to other such organisations within this community, the project itself provides an internet cafe, meeting rooms which volunteer & community groups can utilise (Tuck, 2000, pp. 147).

It also provides a counselling service for trainee counsellors who have a need for an organisation in which to practice their skills and also need to accumulate the hours necessary to fulfil the criteria of their course. It is basically a drop-in centre for anyone who feels disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised and in need of free advice and support within an intimate setting.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of Open Doors Centre

An equal opportunity employment form is required to be filled by the candidates for employment. The form helps the centre to identify barriers to diversity and workforce equality and maintain equal opportunities best practice. The Centre considers ex-offenders on their merit for employment. It does not seek details of any spent offence under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. A person with any disability is also facilitated for employment (Cruickshank, 1979, pp. 176).

Irrespective of gender reassignment, national or ethnic origin, employment status, belief or religion, nationality, civil partnership, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, social class, health, gender, colour, race and disability, all individuals are valued and treated fairly by the centre. The centre makes sure that on any of the grounds, none of the employees are receiving less favourable treatment.

The Team of Colone Open Doors Centre

There are approximately 20 volunteers who use the premises. There are four paid workers who manage the facility and make sure that the various facilities which Open Doors itself offers are ...