Independent Visitor Volunteer Scheme

Please note that we are not currently recruiting any new Independent Visitor Volunteers.

This is a statutory service for children who are ‘looked after’ and who would benefit from having an independent adult in their life.

It is provided by volunteers who want to befriend and support a young person on a long-term basis. We offer this service in order to give young people the chance to spend time and build a relationship with an adult, who is not involved in their lives as a professional or carer.

This scheme is voluntary for the young people, which means that they can choose to have an Independent Visitor at any time between the ages of 8-18 years.

Volunteers

We are not currently recruiting any new Independent Visitor Volunteers. If you would just like to learn more about the current scheme, please look at the frequently asked questions box below, or contact us via e-mail or telephone.

Young People

If you are a looked after young person and would like to know more about the Scheme, please contact us. If you decide that you would like an Independent Visitor, please complete a referral form. Your social worker will also be able to help you.

Carers and Professionals

If you know a looked after young person who meets the criteria for a befriender, please contact us to discuss further. Priority will be given to young people who:

have no or only infrequent contact with their birth family
live outside of the Southampton area
are unable to go out independently
live in a residential unit

Independent Visitor - role description

1. What will I have to do?

You will visit, telephone or e-mail your matched child regularly, give advice on everyday life, and act as a role model. You will need to be committed to the scheme for at least 12 months and be be reliable, patient and trustworthy.

You will also organise fun activities that suit your matched child, and work with the child’s carers and the Local Authority to support the best interests of the child.

This may involve helping the child to address any concerns or complaints they have, and encouraging and supporting them to get help from professionals if they need it.

2. What will I not be expected to do?

You are not required to be a substitute parent or carer to the child, to provide leisure activities which the child's carers should be providing, or to provide intensive counselling.

3. What experience do I need?

No formal qualifications are required for this role. However some experience of dealing with children aged 6-18 years old would be useful.

You should be able to communicate easily with children, have lots of patience and above all enjoy spending time with children.

4. Is training and support provided?

If your application is successful you will take part in an induction program. The will include an introduction to the Independent Volunteer Scheme, and what is expected of you as an Independent Visitor.

Training will also be given on living in care, child protection procedures, confidentiality, safe working, good boundaries, and communicating with children and young people.

Support is available in the form of a Peer Support Group, and regular supervision. Other ongoing training will be provided as necessary and when available.

Downloadable documents

Icon	Name of file	Size	Download time
	Young person referral form for an independent visitor scheme	16 KB	0secs @ 2Mbps

Link to download Adobe Acrobat if required

Contact information

Contact details for this page are:

enquiries@southampton.gov.uk
023 8083 3004
Children's Social Care (M/H), Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY

For any other council related enquiries please contact:

enquiries@southampton.gov.uk
023 8083 3000
General Enquiries Civic Centre, SO14 7LY