Is there anything like this in the UK?

[summerintherosegarden]

One of my friends in the US volunteers for an organisation called CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Basically volunteers get matched up with kids going through the court system (I think, typically, kids in foster care, though perhaps also kids that have committed offenses...she works with kids in foster care anyway) www.casaforchildren.org

They work alongside the various social workers involved but as volunteers I think are also intended to be there for the kids as support and friends... I was just wondering whether there is anything remotely similar in the UK, because if there is I would really like to volunteer?

It seems to me like a fantastic organisation but I'd love to hear the thoughts of those of you who are actually involved in this world.

There is a service providing support for people attending County/family court hearings (PSU) who are volunteers (I think largely trainee lawyers), and I'm pretty sure something must exist at a similar level in Crown. Maybe you could contact your nearest Local Authority, or Court, to make enquiries? Sounds like a very worthwhile thing to volunteer for.

Independent visitors? Visit children in FC/children's homes.

Thanks for the responses - I don't have any legal background or training, but I'll contact my LA and see what the situation is where I am.

HarrietJ0nes, I assume independent visitors are basically friend/mentor type roles? In your experience do they have a very positive impact? (Sorry - I've tried to word that in many different ways and it always ends up sounding much harsher than I intend.)

Yes, visit, have a trip out , chat, someone to talk to outside 'the system'. I've only known one who was there long term but he was making an impact.

I did somne befriending with the LA before I started working with children...........maybe you could ask about that. It was specifically for children/Young people who were accommodated either in residential children's homes or foster care.

a CASA in the USA is the same thing as a GAL (guardian ad-litem). Some states do call them GAL's, others call them CASA's. Some states require the CASA/GAL to be an attorney, others do not. They (having access to the childs records) represent the child at court hearings, they have to visit the child and act as an independent voice, reporting to the court on the childs best interests. This can have a heavy influence on the Judge's decisions, so it's an important and weighty role.

I believe in the UK, the equivalents (I think they are called GAL's in England, but they may not be now) are employed by CAFCASS, and are generally SW's with experience

In the UK, there are often mentoring programs, as well as supporting posts which volunteers can do. They generally involve befriending a vulnerable child, taking them out, being an independent friendly adult. If you are interested in that kind of thing, contact your local authority, if they run such programs, I bet they need volunteers badly

Thanks Litka for that information. I've volunteered to be a befriender and am just undergoing the police checks and so on at the moment - really looking forward to getting started.