Has anyone here volunteered as an Independent Visitor for a child in care?

[EstoyRobandoSuCasa]

I'm thinking about volunteering, as there aren't enough IV's in our area for every child in care who wants one. I don't have a car though, would that be a deal-breaker? Also, was it a positive experience for you and how did it end? I know I could ask our local Social Services team for more info, but I can't imagine them sharing any negative stories.

It should imagine it would make life alot easier if you had a car. Depends if you need to pick a child up, take them out, than return them home and how far they live from you etc.

Could you not get in touch and ask them if you need a car. I am sure they expect people to ask those questions.

What happens if a child says something about you, or makes an allegation etc.
That would concern me. Have you thought about that.
Could you cope with all it might entail.

Op, Ive no idea as to this role but I just want to say you must have a huge heart to be considering volunteering for it. 💐

What happens if a child says something about you, or makes an allegation etc.
That would concern me. Have you thought about that.
Could you cope with all it might entail.

I wouldn't want to have to cope with that, no. I suppose that anyone who works with children is at risk of a false allegation.

Hi OP,

Whilst I haven't been one myself I've worked and been friends with many through previous employment at charities.

The most powerful thing is you may be the first or only person in that child's life that hasn't been paid to be in it. And in many cases their only consistency.

Car - depends where you live really. Not a problem somewhere like London with good transport. You would likely not be advised to be alone in a private space like a car with them anyway and would do things like coffee shops / cinema / other things that match their interests.

A lot depends on how good the match is between you and the child and your training and support BUT this should be done well. I generally hear positive things from both sides. You wouldn't be expected to replace other support the child gets.

It's a great thing to do if you can do it and I wish there were thousands more of you. All the best

Hi Op. I didn’t know this was a thing. How wonderful of you! x

Hang on, I haven't done anything yet 😂

I hadn't heard of Independent Visitors either until recently, but our local council is trying to attract more volunteers.

I did this as an independent advocate for young people living in secure units. I did need my car as both units were a long way from where I live. I found it very fulfilling for the time I did it, which was two years.

I used to do this as well as being an appropriate adult for young people in police custody. I worked as a probation officer at the time with a specialism in psychotherapeutic structured interventions, so was very used to working with complex and vulnerable people. I stopped after I had DS as I no longer have the time to be consistent and that's what the young people need. I am still on the just as an appropriate adult and get called occasionally. I needed my car because the locations I was going to were not well connected and as an appropriate adult you can be called out at any time. Look into it OP but it's ok if you feel when you have all of the information that you can't offer enough time. Lots of the independent visitors when I did it were retired teachers, social workers etc. Being retired they had more time to give.

Yes I'm currently an independent visitor and have been for two years.

I pick up my young person in a car but if you lived in an area with public transport it wouldn't be required.

My young person sits in the back seat for safeguarding reasons and I tilt the front passenger seat down so she can see the road (she gets motion sickness).

Seeing her is definitely one of the best parts of my month. It is a hugely positive experience. Sometimes she shares stories that can make me feel sad or troubled but I then seek support for that.

I am happy to chat further if helpful.

It hasn't 'ended' yet and I will continue seeing her for as long as she wants.

Wow this sounds interesting op can you tell us more about it and how we find out about it please.

@Hairydairyfair please tell us more.

Are they in foster care ? Care ? Where do you take her
Do you have an allowance or you pay ? Cafe /nt/ lunch /play park ?

Training ?

I’m really interested in this too.

I actually had no idea thats a wonderful thing to do OP.

It's a really lovely thing to do. My young person is in a foster care placement. We do all sorts of activities, one weekend afternoon a month. Anything she enjoys, from crazy golf, to the cinema, park, lunch, (she loves bubble tea). Ceramic cafe, wildlife park etc.

There is plenty of training and support. There is a £20 a month budget so it is a little tight, obviously it's public funding, but you can work with that.

This is a good description:

https://coramvoice.org.uk/independent-visitors/

I'd definitely recommend it, it's a wonderful thing to do.

If you use this search tool you can find who in your local area you need to contact:

ivnetwork.org.uk/become-an-iv/how-to-become-an-iv-apply/

Posting this here from my Coram coordinator in case this is helpful

Good question, I know a few organisations across the country have IV services.

Coram Voice have Slough, Hillingdon, City, Bromley, Harrow, Brent, Tower Hamlets, Hammersmith in London and South East.
And also services in Norfolk, Manchester, Coventry and Warwickshire- and probably some others that I am missing.
The adverts can be seen here: https://jobs.coram.org.uk/vacancies

I think some Counties/ Borough’s have their own services.

Action for Children have some other London Boroughs: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/how-we-can-help/our-local-services/find-our-services-near-you/london-independent-visitors-service/

And a quick chatgpt search says:

• Barnardo’s – provides advocacy and Independent Visitor services in various areas (e.g., Plymouth, Cornwall, Wirral) through local advocacy teams.
• Action for Children (London Independent Visitors Service) – matches volunteer mentors with children in care across London and beyond.
• Reconstruct UK – offers Independent Visitors to looked-after children and care leavers in several regions (including Bristol, Reading, Gloucestershire, Milton Keynes, South Gloucestershire).
• North Yorkshire Youth – runs a county-wide Independent Visitor scheme in North Yorkshire.

Specialist Organisations

• ASIST – delivers Independent Visitor support with careful matching and structured support sessions.
• TGP Cymru – operates the North Wales Independent Visiting Service for children in care in Wales.
• NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) – provides Independent Visitor services on behalf of some local authorities (e.g., via Dorset Council).

It may just be best to go directly to the local Council site and looking at the “children and young people/ care” section and it should have more information.