Independent Visitors for Young People in Care

Every young person in care should be offered the opportunity to pair with an Independent Visitor (IVs). IVs are adults who are paired with a young person who is “looked after by the local authority”. The IV provides fun, friendship and guidance to the young person. The IV and the young person meet once a month for a few hours and also possible phone contact in between. Together they decide what to do on their visits, often exploring local attractions or shared interests. IVs are there to support the young person, listen to them and be a consistent, reliable friend. Each IV, supports only one young person at a time, helping them to feel known and supported. Young People at times may also ask IVs to attend meetings with them.

---

Benefits

Being able to support a young person. Letting them know that they have a supportive adult that they can rely on and have fun with.

 

You can watch them develop and support them in this process, sometimes offering advice and tools for life, alongside sharing fun adventures.

HAVE FUN!!

---

Practical Considerations

Times of visits are decided between Young Person and IV- but tend to be daytime on Saturdays and Sundays as most young people are of school age.

May have to travel around an hour to meet your young person.

The young person is in care, so could move address at short notice. the hope is that the IV will still continue to see them.

---

Support Disabled

The training/ supervision is mainly online. IVs choose the activities with the young person so can choose suitable locations.

What skills do I need?

No experience is required as full training is provided. Volunteers need to be over 18, committed, fun and enthusiastic and willing to give time consistently. You will be committing to offering monthly visits for at least 2 years.

Volunteers need to be over 18, committed, fun and enthusiastic and willing to give time consistently.

DBS Check is required.