Independent Visitor

What is an independent Visitor?

An independent Visitor (also known as an IV) is a responsible adult volunteer who befriends and supports a child or young person looked after by a local authority and has little or no contact with his/her parents. The children or young people may need additional support particularly as they are likely to be living in children’s homes, foster homes or independently.    

Key Responsibilities:

To visit, support, befriend and advise a child or young person being looked after by the Local Authority, who has infrequent or no contact with parents or those who have parental responsibility, or who would benefit from the support of an IV.

Main Duties:

• To visit the child (or young person) on a regular basis, making suitable arrangements with his/her carer and the child (young person) and to be reliable in keeping to those arrangements.

• To befriend the child (or young person) establishing a relationship of trust and support, and to be prepared for an ongoing relationship possibly beyond the young person’s time in care.

• To promote the child’s (or young person’s) developmental, social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs.

• To undertake activities, agreed with the child (or young person) which are suitable for his/her age, aptitude and ability.

• To listen to the child (or young person) and provide advice and information regarding issues in their life. Where the advice is regarding complex situations to encourage the child (or young person) to seek and accept help and guidance from appropriate services and

individuals, this could include a Coram Voice Advocate.

• To be willing and available to undertake training and supervision with the volunteer coordinator, both on a one-to-one basis and in group meetings.

• If requested, to provide a contribution to the review of the child’s (or young person’s) case by the Local Authority, which reflects the child’s (or young person’s) viewpoint. This contribution can either be in writing or at the child’s (or young person’s) invitation by

attending the review.

• To refer to the Volunteer Coordinator, a Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) or other Coram Voice Manager, or in their absence the Social Worker, or in emergency situations the emergency duty Social Workers, any concerns about the child’s (or young person’s) welfare, or safety.

• To act within the Confidentiality Policy of Coram Voice, keeping any confidential information safely stored. To return any confidential information to the IV Manager at the end of the formal relationship.

• To act within the Coram Voice and Local Authority safeguarding policies.

• To keep accurate records of any expenses incurred, and to submit regular claims for these expenses, together with receipts, and also details of visits made, activities undertaken and any issues or outcomes from the visits.

• To recognise and challenge all forms of discrimination and prejudice in the workplace.

• To treat everyone with respect, dignity and fairness and to acknowledge and celebrate diversity.

• To maintain an awareness of your own and others’ health and safety and comply with Coram Group Health and Safety policy and procedures.

• To maintain confidentiality of information; it will be necessary to comply with all requirements related to the Data Protection Act/ General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)

What skills do I need?

• An ability to communicate effectively with children or young people

• To be able to question and challenge decisions made about a young person when their wishes or best interests are not being met

• To maintain an attitude of tolerance and acceptance to young people whose values and behaviour may be different to your own

• To be willing to gain knowledge and experience of the care system and needs of young people in the care system

• A willingness to undergo training for the role

• A willingness to accept and abide by the rules and boundaries of the role

• An understanding of the importance of long term relationships to children and to be prepared to make an open-ended commitment        

When do I need to be available?

	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday
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