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Children Australia is a quarterly journal reporting on research and practice around children, youth and families. Read more...

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Volunteers are essential for the running of our services and are highly valued. Volunteering with OzChild is a rewarding and enriching experience.

We appreciate that each volunteer has unique skills. We aim to respect and support our volunteers in achieving their personal goals, while providing professional support.

We value the precious time you give to our vital services. Volunteers spend as little as two hours a week on casual basis, or take part in more structured part time or full time programs.

Benefits of volunteering

• Get involved in the community
• Meet new people and make new friends
• Support children and their families
• Gain new skills and knowledge
• Feel rewarded and appreciated
• Develop leadership skills
• Enhance your resume and gain references
• Experience unique opportunities
• Build a lifetime of memories
• Have some fun!

Does OzChild offer student placements?

OzChild does accept limited student placements in the social work field. Placements however, are predominantly arranged through existing partnerships with universities and tertiary institutions.
Please discuss suitable placement options with the appropriate contact at your tertiary institution before submitting a placement enquiry.

If accepting placements, OzChild has the following Key Criteria for student placements:

• Students must be studying a Social Work or similar degree and be in their final year of study.
• For students completing Certificate 3 and Certificate 4 of Community Development (or similar) opportunities may be available for placement within our volunteer program. Students are matched with a family or child for 2 hours per fortnight but are required to commit to a 12 month period within our Family Services Program.
  (Please note, the volunteer program does not provide the depth of experience or the time component required for students undertaking Diploma or Advanced Diploma qualifications)
• Each program area will have more specific criteria based on program requirements, so please enquire with the program.

Location

Placements are offered at the following service sites:

• Disability Services: Mornington
• Family Services: Frankston and Dandenong
• Foster care/Home Based Care: Frankston and Dandenong

Convenience of travel for students under their own arrangements, to and from these sites should be taken into consideration when seeking a placement.

Where to next

To proceed with an enquiry about a possible placement, go to the enquiry page.  Your enquiry will be sent to that program and you will be contacted as soon as possible

In 2011 OzChild celebrates 160 years of caring for children! OzChild is Australia's oldest independent, not-for-profit, children's charity, with a history of caring for children which dates back to 1851. We continue to care for children, support families and strengthen the potential and life opportunities of children and young people.

Kids Works newsletter

Download our current newsletter or previous issues.

Simone

When my family decided to go into the foster care program, we were full of anticipation and curiosity. We knew that it would be rewarding, but we under-estimated just how rewarding it could be.  The experiences I have had over the several years of fostering have been funny, educating, challenging and emotional.

Read more...