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Job summary

Main area
Voluntary Services
Grade
voluntary
Contract
Voluntary
Hours
  • Home or remote working
  • Other
5 hours per week (Volunteer 20 hours per month)
Job ref
278-CFRKent-2605-SP
Employer
South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
L7 Community First Responders
Town
Maidstone
Salary
Voluntry
Closing
15/06/2026 23:59

Employer heading

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust logo

Community First Responder- Kent

voluntary

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has a vision to ‘support our staff to provide a caring, high quality and efficient urgent and emergency care service to our communities’. We are rated ‘Good’ for care by the Care Quality Commission and while the other areas under their most recent report require improvement, our aim is to continually improve and to reach outstanding across all areas of the Trust.

Our 4,000+ workforce provide services to 4.9m people across Kent, Surrey, Sussex and North East Hampshire. We handle over 1 million calls to 999 and 1 million calls to NHS 111 every year. More information regarding our services and locations can be found on our website.

Job overview

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) is seeking caring, compassionate volunteers to become Community First Responders (CFRs). This rewarding role offers the opportunity to make a real difference in your local community, learn lifesaving skills, and work alongside frontline ambulance crews.

Upon successful completion of training, volunteers will gain a Level 3 First Responder on Scene (FROS) qualification accredited by Future Quals, exceeding the requirements of the Level 3 First Aid at Work award.

SECAmb serves Surrey, Sussex, and Kent, covering 3,500 square miles and a population of 4.2 million, handling over 500,000 emergency calls annually. As a CFR, you may be first on scene at medical emergencies, including cardiac arrests, providing emergency care, reassurance, and support until ambulance crews arrive.

The role requires excellent communication skills, teamwork, compassion, resilience, and sensitivity when supporting people during difficult and distressing situations. Volunteers receive comprehensive training, ongoing support, and regular development opportunities.

SECAmb is currently recruiting volunteers who live in or near: Sittingbourne, Whitstable & HerneBay, Margate & Ramsgate, Canterbury, Deal, Dover , Folkestone, Gravesend – North, Dartford, Swanley, Longfield & Meopham, Tonbridge Wells, Hoo and Leysdown

This is an opportunity to gain valuable skills while making a positive impact on the lives of vulnerable people within your community

Main duties of the job

As a Community First Responder (CFR) with SECAmb, you will provide emergency care, reassurance, and support to patients until ambulance crews arrive, often during some of the most difficult and distressing moments in their lives. This rewarding voluntary role requires excellent communication skills, teamwork, compassion, and sensitivity to the needs of others. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to equip you with the skills and confidence to respond effectively to emergencies.

In your supporting information, please explain:

• Why you want to become a Community First Responder with SECAmb.
• The strengths, skills, and personal qualities you can bring to the role.
• Whether you hold a full Category B driving licence with no more than 3 penalty points.
• Your hometown.
• Your ability to commit to a minimum of 20 volunteer hours per month and a 2-year volunteering commitment.

We are seeking individuals who demonstrate kindness, compassion, reliability, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference within their community. Applicants should have a good standard of education, a reasonable level of fitness, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

This role also offers an opportunity to join SECAmb's Volunteer to Career pathway. Eligible volunteers who meet the required criteria and wish to pursue a future career within the ambulance service will be guaranteed an interview for suitable paid positions within the Trust.

Working for our organisation

Applicants must be aged 18+, uphold SECAmb values, hold a full UK driving licence for at least one year with no more than 3 penalty points, and have access to a Class B vehicle with valid tax, MOT, and insurance. Volunteers must commit to a minimum of 20 hours per month for 2 years, attend monthly training, annual competency assessments, mandatory online training, interviews, and all required training dates.

Shortlisted applicants will attend an Assessment Centre at Medway MRC, on 11th July (9:00am–6:00pm), which includes Multiple Mini Interviews and completion of the Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Adult Basic Life Support and Automated External Defibrillation.

Successful candidates must attend all six training days:

  • 5 - 6 September
  • 19- 20 September
  • 3 - 4 October

Attendance at all dates is essential, with no alternative sessions available. Candidates must pass each assessment to progress.

Following selection, volunteers must complete an enhanced DBS check, references, occupational health screening, and mandatory online learning before training starts.

SECAmb is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. Due to high application volumes, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and vacancies may close early if sufficient applications are received.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

What happens after you submit an application?

If your application is shortlisted, you will be invited to attend a formal assessment centre. You will be expected to have some knowledge of the role and our Trust.  Successful candidates will then be required to complete an enhanced DBS check, references, and an occupational health screening check. Completion of a series of online learning modules must be completed prior to the 6-day training course.

Please ensure ALL sections within the application form are fully completed. Incomplete application forms will not be shortlisted.

The Trust is committed to equality of opportunity of all staff. We welcome applications from individuals regardless of age, any disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, The Trust aspires to reflect the diversity of our community in our workforce and guarantees an interview to candidates with disability who meet the essential criteria specified. We particularly encourage applications from black, Asian, ethnic minority, and disabled applicants and those from other under-represented groups.

When completing the application please use your passport name and please ensure you include email addresses and contact numbers for your referees to avoid delay in the recruitment process.

please include details to cover the last 3 years history.

Due to the high volume of applications at SECAmb, we regret that we will only be able to contact those applicants who are shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard from us within 10 working days of the closing date, then please assume you have not been shortlisted for interview on this particular occasion.

Please be aware that the trust reserves the right to close this vacancy early if sufficient applicants are received.

Person specification

Essentials

Essential criteria
  • Hold a driving licence for at least a year. Their driving licence must not have more than 3 points
  • Full Uk Driving Licence and access to a Class B vehicle
  • The Name of the Town you live in
  • Good Commutations Skills (written and verbal)
  • Compassionate and Caring
  • Ability to work alone and as part of a Team
  • Ability to stay calm and work under pressure in stressful situations
  • Good Level of fitness – be able to undertake CPR
  • Ability to donate a minimum of four hours per week (20hrs per month

Employer certification / accreditation badges

Veteran AwareAge positiveInvestors in People: GoldImproving working livesArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerThe Employers Network for Equality & Inclusion (enei) is the UK's leading employer network covering all aspects of equality and inclusion issues in the workplace.Care Quality Commission - Requires improvementStep into healthEmployers Network for Equality & InclusionArmed Forces CovenantCycle to Work

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Scott Montgomery
Job title
Community Resilience Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
07827449232
Additional information

[email protected]

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