Wirral Independent Visitor Service

SOME CHILDREN REALLY NEED THE UNDIVIDED ATTENTION OF AN ADULT WHO CARES
Our project offers an independent service befriending children and young people looked after in foster and residential care placements.
VOLUNTEER Independent Visitors spend a few hours a month building a relationship with a child through fun, activities, and outings. Being a volunteer can be hard work but immensely rewarding. Volunteers should get some personal benefits; it may be new skills gained, or personal growth and development. You’ll meet new people and share new experiences. Volunteers receive both initial and ongoing training, and out of pocket expenses.
Training Course Starts Soon!
For an application pack please contact:
Shelley Warren
Tel: 0151 670 1500 (Code IV)
independent.visitor@wired.me.uk

What Is An Independent Visitor?

An Independent Visitor (IV), is an adult friend to a looked after child or young person, who has had little or no contact with his or her parents in the last 12 months. The Children Act 1989 places a duty on every Local Authority to provide an IV to children and young people who meet the criteria. All looked after children, including those placed out of borough, should be offered the opportunity to have an IV, unless it can be proved that it would be in their best interest not to have one. The child must agree to having an IV.
In Wirral, IVs are recruited, trained and supervised by Wired. They are unpaid volunteers receiving only their out of pocket expenses. Independent Visitors are people interested in and committed to working with young people. The aim of the Independent Visitor is to befriend the child or young person, offering friendship, stability, support, advice, and encouragement on a one-to-one basis. There is no charge made for the service.

What Do IV's Do?

IVs will meet up with the child/young person regularly.  Visits will be arranged with the child/young person and their carers. Initial visits will take place in the young person's home. Once the friendship is established, visits can include trips to local places of interest or to the cinema, walks, and generally activities that the child or young person enjoys. The emphasis of the visits is NOT on providing treats, but on building a friendship.
The role of the Independent Visitor isn't that of a substitute parent, carer or Advocate. They seek to complement the vital role of Social workers and carers in contributing to and promoting the young person's developmental, social, emotional, educational, religious, and cultural needs. The child/young person benefits from regular contact with an adult outside Wirral Borough Council. The Independent Visitor has a duty to remain child focused, although they may be sympathetic to the point of view of others involved in caring for the child or young person. Their role is to be open-minded and questioning about the things that they are told by others are in the child/young person's best interests.

Won't This Be Just Another Adult In A Young Person's Life?

For some young people, the only regular contact they have with adults is with their carers or with professionals such as social workers and teachers. Having an Independent Visitor outside the looked after services, who spends time just with them and is focused on their needs can be invaluable. The IV is able to provide support throughout changes of placement or social worker, helping a young person with their sense of history and self worth. The Independent Visitor also provides an additional, important safeguard for young people looked after in residential care and in other placements.

Confidentiality

Young people are assured of confidentiality with Independent Visitors, unless something is disclosed that places the young person at risk, or someone they know.

Meetings and Looked After Children Reviews

The IV can, at the child's request, attend meetings and reviews to help and support the young person in expressing their views, though this is not the same role as an Advocate.

The Child's Welfare

The IV's role is to promote the welfare of the young person and to be completely child-focused. Their purpose is not to make their own judgments about the care being provided by professionals but rather to listen and support the young person and encourage them to participate in the decisions that are made about them. The IV is not intended to be a skilled Advocate. If a young person is unhappy, the IV will signpost them on to the appropriate person.

Screening

All potential volunteers are assessed during training, vetted and screened, including Enhanced CRB and Local Authority checks.

How Can I Find Out More?

A member of the WIVS team will happily deliver a short presentation on the service at any CYPD or IRO team meetings upon request. Please contact the office to request a referrer’s pack and leaflets.

Young People – Talk to your social worker and they will make a referral. Alternatively, you can contact the office directly.

Volunteers – Please contact the office to request a volunteer’s application

For more information please contact Shelley Warren or call 0151 670 1500