Has anyone been an independent visitor?

[holtol]

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?

@Nomorecoconutboostsyes! I remember now. The LA sent an email saying they were changing providers.

Hi

I am currently an IV and report regularly to Coram.

Which area are you in? If you let me know the area I will ask my Coram coordinator who covers that area for you.

I had a quick look locally and it seems to Barbados. The webpage says it's closed for new applications at present.

I did it through an org called reconstruct (only cover certain areas).

I enjoyed it. I have daughters and was matched with a teenage boy, he mostly wanted to go out and shoot things so we did various iterations of laser quest/paintball/go karting.

Was a good experience

Just to add - obvs my daughters didn’t come along on visits but i enjoyed the experience of doing activities they wouldn’t ever want to do. It was challenging at times as he had SEN so I felt quite responsible ensuring he was following safety rules etc.

What a lovely thread.

Would they take childless people on?

Do the young people discuss their backgrounds with you?

What do you know about them?

@Summerhillsquare - absolutely yes. You don’t have to have children of your own, and you see the YP (young person) on their own, just you and them.

@PassingStranger - you will have a small amount of relevant background information about the YP if this are relevant to your contact. Eg. You will know where they live and who with. You will know any relevant risks. You may know a little about their family if relevant for example if you need to avoid a certain area or what to do if you bump into a family member.
the YP may choose to share more but you wouldn’t generally ask.
Prospective IVs get training and regular supervision. Plus access to the IV coordinator during working hours, and a helpline out of hours.
Also they are ‘matched’ - in our area you produce an ‘all about me’ book with photos and this is shared with the YP to see if they might like to meet you. It is led by them, which I think is good.

@ArtTheClownIsNotAMime
As part of my interview process things like your personality, interests etc are taken into account. I have experience with ND children and adults and this was taken into account when they matched me. My experience of the interview and training process was positive and I liked their sensitive and considerate approach into finding a good fit for the YP and IV.

There is always a huge shortage of IVs so I would be surprised if there wasn't a way through to make applications. I'm happy to ask a question of my IV coordinator at Coram if it's helpful for you at all - she is very quick to respond to questions and always trying to help recruit. Coram manage a lot of the Greater London contracts but have connections nationally.

Yes, for sure, I was childless when I was matched with my YP two years ago. I'm now expecting a baby but will continue to visit my YP every month.

It depends on the YP's location and your location. Your ability to travel would be taken into account as part of the matching process. I said I was happy to drive for up to an hour (!) and I was matched with a YP in a fairly remote location who they couldn't find someone else local for - it seems like she would not have been allocated an IV otherwise and I enjoy driving. Travel expenses are fully reimbursable. I then subsequently moved house so I am even further away and my petrol costs are still paid even with the increased distance. However had I said I only wanted to use public transport they would have tried their best to match me with a YP close by.

I always pick her up and take her home so I see her go in the door at least. Sometimes I will have a few minutes chat with her foster mum at the beginning/end although as time has gone on my YP just lets herself in and out (she is now 15).

We have done lots of things:
ceramic cafe
local football match
shopping centre
film
laser quest
crazy golf
trip into central london
make over session for her birthday

The budget is tight (£20 per visit), but you can roll funds. If you do a couple of cheaper trips, by the third trip you can do something bigger.

Sometimes the really fun bits are just her playing her favourite new albums in the car as we drive somewhere.

This is lovely

No age restrictions as far as I know. It is just once a month, I always meet my young person on a weekend afternoon.

Yes, it's all about the match. I am quite shy but my young person is very chatty. Also, I don't tend to share much about myself, so they share more and actually I take a bit more of a listening role - they might actually really value someone who gives them the space to chat rather than filling the silence - it could be a positive.

So the way this works is that each council has a statutory duty to offer children in care an independent visitor. There is a huge shortage of independent visitors.

The majority of councils tender a contract every 3-5 years for an organisation to run the independent visitor service for them. So which organisation runs it for each area depends which organisation won the tendering process for the relevant council.

So, you need to work out who your local council contracts with to provide the service. That is how you will know which organisation runs it for your area.

If you want to DM me I am happy to help you work it out :)

I would be interested to know if there is an organisation in charge of it in Plymouth if your contact can find out. Thanks

This came up in my “active threads” last night. I was so moved by some of the stories on here I contacted my local (one of poorest in country) council…they’ve already got me on a training day next week!

I’m a recent empty nester always looking to where I can make a difference. This seems ideal.
Any tips from anyone re what to expect/how to give the YP the best experience/way to spend time possible?
Thanks all

@NinjaGin- how lovely, I’m an almost empty nester plus heading toward partial retirement.

re what to expect and how to ensure the YP has a good time. I found I had all kinds of ‘exciting’ ideas but my YP finds choice difficult and doesn’t like to commit to a specific activity. So I am led by them and when we set a date I suggest 2 basic options with the agreement they can choose something else if they want. So what I learnt was not to plan too much, keep low key, you will slowly get used to each other.
Some YPs might not go out much depending on who they live with so just being out and about might be appreciated. If they find talking overwhelming then something like cinema can be good. Our outings are quite food related as that is what the YP enjoys.

@RaininSummer - Barnardos apparently run the IV service in Plymouth (screenshot will follow once it’s been screened)

Not read the thread yet but just wanted to say that as a Foster carer it is a wonderful idea.

I've only experience of one of my YP having an I but it has been fab for them, they have been well matched and really look forward to it.

Interesting … I’ve heard of this before and might consider volunteering.

One question, regarding the budget: are you allowed to spend your own money to take them to things that would be over the allowance? Theatre or concerts for instance? Those things would marry with my own knowledge and interests far more than crazy golf or ice skating.

@Sesquipedahlia
i think within limits you can spend a bit more - I have and then (for example) submitted receipt for £26 but only get £20 reimbursed.
i think if you paid significantly more than the budget - it could be tricky, especially if the YP lives with others who also have IVs.
there are some ways round it I believe especially for older YPs who may have their own money - if they wanted to go to a particular event and it was agreed you could take them. These decisions are discussed with the IV coordinator/supervisor.
plus you may find that your YP doesn’t really do concerts or whatever and wants pizza every time! It’s lovely if your interests do align of course.