Independent Visitors for Looked after Children

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.

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.

What rewards come with volunteering, and how does it create meaningful change?:

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.

What skills do I need?

Requirements:

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.

DBS check required

When do I need to be available?

Details

The Independent Visitors meet with the young person that they are matched with once a month at a time that suits them both. Most of the young people are school aged, so this is normally on a Saturday or Sunday in the day time- but could differ depending on availability, for example school holidays.