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Independent Visitor for Children in Care

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Volunteering to support young people in care

An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who gives some of their time each month to befriend, support and develop a long-term friendship with a young person in care.

As an Independent Visitor you will meet the young person once a month. The aim of the monthly visit is to help the young person develop new interests, skills and hobbies. You might go on outings to the cinema, go bowling or take a walk in the park. Above all, just have fun together.

The Independent Visitor service sits outside of the care system. This gives the young person someone who is truly independent. It provides continuity which isn't always possible with changing carers and professionals.

“The young person values having someone who is constant and consistent, who takes them at face value and doesn't judge. Someone who won't let them down or leave them after a short time but commits to being a friend through many years.”

(Independent Visitor)

“My Independent Visitor is amazing. I can talk to her about anything and completely trust her. It's nice to have someone who isn't a social worker or family to talk to."

(Young Person)

Independent visitor

Current volunteers experience

I have been an IV now for around about 12 years now and I have found it very rewarding and worthwhile. I have always been involved in volunteering but when I moved to Cambridgeshire 12 years ago I wanted to get involved in something different within the local area. I had a search on the internet and came across the role of an Independent Visitor. I thought it looked rewarding and interesting. It was something I could get involved in around my work and family life as well.

Yes. It is incredibly rewarding, and I really love seeing my young person develop and grow up along the way. I have been matched twice now. I spent 6 years with my first young person and now 6 years with my current young person. It has been a privilege to spend time with them, to watch them develop, to be a consistent presence (when at times you might be the only consistent person) and to see how your support and friendship can help them to navigate a tough and vulnerable age in their lives.

One of the main challenges I have faced is that these children have sometimes been in and out of different childcare settings. They have often experienced real hardship at a young age and may have been let down by adults previously. It means that is can sometimes be hard to firstly establish trust between you and your young person, so consistency is key. However, once that trust has been established the relationship between you and your young person is a real triumph. It is just amazing to be able to support them and build up a friendship. You can help them to thrive and provide opportunities they may not have otherwise.

I really would just go for it. Young people will get so much out of having an independent visitor to help provide some continuity in their lives. I was really worried about committing to something that involved too many hours as I was working full time and subsequently had a family. I ultimately didn’t want to let my young person down if I had to stop but I can honestly say this hasn’t ever been the case. My young person and I have a flexible arrangement. We tend to meet up roughly once a month where we do an activity like the cinema together. We both really look forward to it.

Applications are temporarily closed, please check back for updates.

Who can be an Independent Visitor?

We are looking for adults of all ages, and from all walks of life who would like to make a positive and significant difference to the life of a young person.

Ideally you would be able to commit to a few hours once a month for a minimum of two years. The days and times of these visits will be determined by you and the young person. They can be worked around your other commitments.

Many young people will have experienced repeated changes. You will often be the only person in their life who is not paid to be with them. So, it is important that you can be consistent and reliable with your time in order to build up a meaningful and trusting relationship with them.

All volunteers will attend training to cover all aspects of the role and safeguarding.

You will have regular one to one sessions with the Service Coordinator to support you fully in the role. Further training opportunities may be available based on the needs of the young person you support.

Volunteers are provided with a small monthly budget to cover the cost of activities and travel expenses.

No formal qualification is needed. All we ask is that you are open minded, non-judgemental and have a good sense of humour. You should relate well to young people and have an active interest in their welfare.

Independent Visitors must be flexible and resilient. Above all else the volunteer must be committed to visiting the young person once a month and be reliable.

Every young person has different needs. The coordinator takes great care to ensure that they are matched so that they have some common interest with the Independent Visitor.

To make sure all volunteers are suitable for the role, you must undergo a clear and comprehensive selection process. This includes an interview, reference checks, training and and an enhanced check with the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS, formerly CRB).

The ability to drive is desirable, but not essential. Some Independent Visitors are able to undertake the role using public transport.