Has anyone been an independent visitor?

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I'm considering taking up some form of volunteer role for a few hours per month.

I don't have any specific skill like gardening or baking, but I am a caring person and I heard about people that are independent visitors to give time to children looked after who is there for them and not because they are paid to provide a service.

Has anyone done this before that can provide some insight?

Do you see them in their care environment or go for a walk? It's hard to do things without spending money so did you use your own funds?

How much time on average say per week did you give and was the visit with the same person or someone different each time?

Would you recommend it?

I'm an independent visitor with nyas and really enjoy it. I pick my young person (yp) up from their carers and bring them out for a trip. The commitment is once a month, generally for 3 hours or so, but it depends on what we're doing. We are given a budget for each trip - we can do something cheap for a couple of months so we can do something more expensive another time, and the budget is evened out over the year. I have a coordinator who I can raise any questions with. The independent visitors also meet up a couple of times a year which is nice as we can swap ideas etc

You're matched with a yp and then you're with them until they want to stop or age out of the system (unless you give you, but they want you to commit to doing it for a minimum of two years)

I totally recommend it!

Place marking for the comments! Haven't heard about this before, but it sounds lovely

Happy to talk off line if anyone wants to know more

My husband and I were joint independent visitors for 7 years with the same lad- between when he was 9 til 16. We took him out once a month for a few hours. Mostly we found it rewarding and we were glad we did it. As he got older it seemed a bit more difficult to do things with him- mostly became meals out. When he was younger he enjoyed crazy golf and the park and soft play stuff.
I’m sure hours you out in will help a child in the long term. Children in care don’t normally have the extended family relationships tgat most children benefit from.
I think it is definitely worth doing.

Me too. How would one even go about starting something like this? Get DBS checked and then approach a care home?

Information here Independent Visitor Scheme Referrals | NYAS

Yes - I'm with NYAS as well. They'll interview you, ask for references and carry out DBS checks. Once everything is cleared they ask you to provide some information about yourself (hobbies, things you like doing), and will sort out matching.

I have just been interviewed and accepted to be a IV so I am so pleased to read such positive comments about being an IV.

I'm not an independent visitor, but a manager in children's homes... and independent visitors are invaluable!!! So many of the kids I've worked with have maybe one or two friends, and noone else except "staff" so just feeling like someone is showing up just for them, even to walk round the block or go for a hot chocolate, is so important for them x

@NorthernSarcasticandDownrightFantastic That's great to hear that the role does have a genuine impact on the young people you support. What kind of thing do the IV do with them do you know and how often do they catch up?

Are there any hints or tips for making a good start to the role?

@katedan Good luck! How did you hear about the role in the first place? I feel like it is little known as a volunteer opportunity that I would have thought a lot of different people would be able to do.

I've put my application in so waiting to hear and I'm going to go for it.

Thanks for the input on this thread.

Roughly how long was it from applying to being allocated your person?

This sounds lovely, do you ever him from him?

It was about 6 weeks - DBS took the longest (about 4 weeks), was introduced to my kid about two weeks after the interview. Certainly in south Wales we're really short of volunteers (every foster kid is entitled to an iv, but only 2 percent have one) so if you're interested you'll be very much needed!

Great to hear you've applied! We have various chat groups where we ask for ideas, and the coordinators also have ideas. I've visited castles, parks, gone bowling, cinema, ice skating, pottery making, pottery painting and other such things. Our lot are always sharing ideas of things that might be fun to do, and that the kids are keen to do. Others have been zip lining, trampoline, gone to shoes, had nails done, gone for food etc.

The coordinator and I visited each of the kids I've had at their foster home for a chat, then asked each of us separately if we'd like to give it a go. They do try to match people with common interests - eg I hate all things water related so am up front about that - no point matching me with someone who wants to go swimming all the time! Do pm me if you'd like a chat!

We don’t at the moment- he is about 18 now- but I think we might in future. It is a difficult age for kids- particularly those in care.
we did IV work through NYAS and they were helpful and supportive over the years.

I've been an Independent Visitor for over a year now. It's a really rewarding experience.

The application process took a little while. It involved an application, virtual interview, two days training over a weekend and then an interview at home. It was all worth it though and didn't feel invasive.

I meet with my young person once a month and we do a mixture of things. Sometimes we go for a country walk, go bowling, for lunch etc. My young person is a teenager so it's great hearing about how she's getting on at college and her exams and good for her to have someone that is there to spend time with her (and not being paid to be there).

There are so many young people that can't be matched because they're not enough volunteers which is really sad.

I had no idea this was a thing. Is it possible to do if you have children of your own (we don't yet but I'd hate to commit then have to pull out it the children can't mix?)

Yea definitely. I have children and that's not an issue at all. You can't take them with you when you meet with the young person though as it needs to be one on one time with them.

Oh god. It is so so sad to think of all those kids who don’t have anyone 😢😢 sounds like a lovely thing to do. I have 3 kids so wonder how that would work at the moment, but will definitely keep this scheme in mind for the future. Poor kids ❤️

I worked recruiting IVs for years and when I moved on to a new job 3 years ago immediately became an IV myself. The impact it has on the young people is huge and it is such a valued role by both the young people and the carers who benefit from some respite.
My young person is now 15, we've been matched for 3 years and I absolutely love the once a month we spend together. I would highly recommend it!
We love going to the board game cafe, electro darts, crazy golf, pottery painting on our visits. Our children have grown up now so it's nice to enjoy some of the activities with her that I did with or own children years ago.
It takes around 6-8 weeks to move through the recruitment process, you will need to provide references and have a DBS check. There will also be some mandatory training like safeguarding, professional boundaries, the role of an IV, etc. you will likely be asked to create an 'all about me' sheet where you let the young person know what you enjoy doing and a bit about yourself. Then they will find you a match.
On your first visit you will go with your IV. Coordinator and meet the YP with their carer. Then the second visit is solo and normally a short one. After that you do your visits arranged with the carer and complete a short visit report after each visit.
The budget for most IV services is £15 per month plus travel expenses, but as others have said you can roll over from cheaper visits to do something more expensive occasionally. You become a master at looking for special offers!
I'm with reconstruct, Barnardo's also do it in some areas, as do NYAS.

Ah thank you. Possibly not something to consider then until we have completed our family as I wouldn't want to leave newborns, equally I would hate to let a young person down by skipping regular visits. Thanks for answering my question

I've never heard of this, what an amazing thing to do.

I can't spare the time currently, but I may look into it in the future.