Want to make an imPACT in the lives of children, young people and families at a time when they need the most support?

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Help us make an imPACT

From our volunteers on the front lines – our PACT Support Persons – to the passionate community leaders who open doors to help us achieve far-reaching outcomes for vulnerable children in their communities – our PACT Partners – there are a number of ways you can get involved.

PACT services are more in-demand than ever, and we are looking for people across Queensland to join our passionate team of PACT Support Persons.

Discover below what it takes to meet this challenging, but incredibly rewarding role!

Requiring bucket loads of dedication to meet the emotional and time-heavy demands of the role, PACT Support Persons are truly exceptional!

PACT volunteers come from all walks of life. While no experience is necessary as we offer comprehensive training, due to the challenging and confronting nature of this role we ask candidates to self-evaluate whether they have the following traits:

Volunteer Traits

Compassionate, caring & empathetic

Building trust is a must between the child witness and their support person. Volunteers need the skills to build rapport with children and their families to support them without judgement throughout their legal journey.

Confidential and impartial

As an impartial support person, PACT volunteers must be able to follow all instructions, legalities and court processes including not discussing evidence.

Flexible and available with their time

The process from initial arrest to trial can be lengthy and unpredictable. Volunteers must dedicate a significant amount of time to support their allocated witness.

Resilient and calm under pressure

Supporting children and young people through what may be the most difficult time of their lives requires a great deal of resilience and the ability to stay centered, calm and clear-headed.

Ability to communicate effectively

Even many adults have a hard time wrapping their heads around the complex justice systems and legal jargon. Add stress, anxiety and trauma to the mix, and it all becomes even more confusing. Volunteers have to be able to communicate with children and young people in ways they can relate to.

Have a growth-mindset

PACT is court-approved and respected within the legal community because we mutually respect the system we work within. PACT volunteers must be willing to undergo training,  learn processes & use technology in order to protect privacy, offer excellent service and maintain legal privacy.

Ability to form positive relationships

Volunteer PACT Support Persons liaise with a range of stakeholders within the community, legal profession, police and government depts., etc. As such, they must be effective communicators and able to build positive working relationships.

Have the desire to create positive change

Whether it’s a meaningful retirement they’re looking for, or the desire to use their skills, experience and time to effect change, all PACT volunteers share the goal of putting their abilities to good use in order to create a more positive world for vulnerable children and young people!

As a volunteer PACT Support Person you will:

Build rapport

You will meet with the child and carer at their home, park or local venue to build rapport, and offer education and information on what to expect of the court process.

Stay in touch

Throughout the long process, you will keep in touch with the child and their carer, maintaining regular contact via phone, email or text.

Maintain focus

Support the child and ensure they concentrate and focus as they watch a recording of their initial statement to the police (the '93A' viewing), as part of their evidence preparation.

Escort the child

Escort the child into vulnerable witness areas using a secure entrance, and entertain the child as they wait to give evidence. Encourage, support and repeat key information, reduce anxiety by supporting the child as they wait to give evidence.

Be physically present

To reduce anxiety, volunteers are physically present during the Prosecutor's Conference, and when the child gives evidence at the Pre-recording of Evidence.

Give a tour

Knowledge is power! To reduce the fear of the unknown, PACT Support Persons will give the child a tour of court, including the vulnerable witness suite and the CCTV room where they will speak to the judge, prosecutor and defence counsel when giving evidence.

Educate and inform

A big part of our job is to provide education and information to children and their families, reducing fear and increasing their confidence about what to expect.

Support to move forward

Help the child and their carer to be aware of their rights, access counselling services as needed, stay up to date on the offender’s release via the Victims' Register and seek compensation for their loss.

Other support as needed

Since every case is unique, we provide support throughout the unpredictable court process, including sitting alongside the child in the courtroom if they are required to give evidence from the witness box.

Ready to make an imPACT with us?

Apply to become a volunteer PACT Support Person by completing an online application, or contact us to find out more. Or, discover how to make an imPACT in another way by becoming a PACT Partner.

Volunteer application

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Contact us to find out more

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Become a PACT Partner

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Hear from our volunteer PACT Support Persons: