How to become an 'independent visitor' and volunteer to spend time with a child in care.
We're looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to become Independent Visitors.
An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who spends quality time with a child or young person in care for a few hours every couple of weeks.
Many children in care are teenagers so we're particularly looking for people interested in working with this age group. No formal qualifications are required - just a genuine commitment to children and young people.
If you're over 18 and are interested, we’d like to hear from you.
Independent Visitors do not take on a parenting role, they are there to provide a sense of 'normal’ life to a young person who:
Independent Visitors must be over 18 years of age, and may either be individuals or married/cohabiting couples.
Independent Visitors must be as independent as possible from Social Services. For this reason, they may not:
Independent Visitors are not like parents, social workers, or carers - that is why they are called independent. They are ordinary people, like you, who volunteer their time because they like children and young people.
The role is unpaid, but volunteers can recover expenses, including transport and some money for activities.
Once through the recruitment process, volunteers are carefully matched with young people.
We consider:
When a match is made, there's a trial period of 5 or 6 visits before a definite commitment is made.
Once established in the role, volunteers are provided with opportunities for individual and group support, as well as further training and invitations to social events.
Both volunteers and the children and young people they visit have reported that they find the experience rewarding.
Independent Visitors relate that they find abilities within themselves they did not previously recognise they had.
The volunteering experience provides the opportunity to:
For an information discussion phone the Independent Visitor Coordinator on 07557 197 581.
To find out more visit the National Independent Visitor service website.
A video has been created to:
View the Independent Visitors - Our Legal Right animation on YouTube.
Children and young people eligible for Independent Visitors have a vast diversity of needs. We encourage people from a wide range of racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities, to apply.
Prospective volunteers are asked to complete an application form and provide 4 referees. Because of the vulnerabilities of children and young people in care, the recruitment process includes police and other statutory checks.
Volunteers will receive training and a final assessment interview before an appointment is offered.
View and download the Independent Visitor application forms and role and person specifications.
Brighton & Hove City Council Children & Families social care staff, their partners and local councillors are not eligible for this role due to potential conflicts of interest.