Independent Visitor to a young person in care

Independent Visitor to a young person in care

Organisation role · 2–6 hrs/month
City of Peterborough, England, United Kingdom
Advice & MentoringBefriending
WellbeingChildren & youthPeople with disabilities
3 Good health and well-being5 Gender equality
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Cambridgeshire county council - Independent Visitor Service
#83082
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Contact person

Sarah-Jane BedfordAsk Sarah-Jane a question

Summary

We are looking for volunteers in the Peterborough to become Independent Visitors and establish good quality, long term friendships with a young person in care.

Detailed description

The aim of the Independent Visitor is to undertake monthly visits to a young person in care. Young people in care have often experienced trauma and lack a consistent adult relationship in their life. The IV is someone who may be the one constant adult in their life.  

The IV role is unique and aims to help the young person develop a positive 1:1, long lasting friendship with a trusted adult outside of the care system. Someone who isn’t paid to be there for them.  


Young people in care can lack a consistent relationship with an adult and miss out on the experiences and opportunities this can offer them. As an Independent Visitor you will meet with them about once a month to take them out, have fun and be a good role model whilst developing trust and rapport.  Our young people often feedback to us they enjoy their time out with their IV’s and like that it gets them out and offers them the opportunity to develop their confidence in meeting new people.  

 

The visits will take place out in the community, based on the needs of the young person, and can involve anything from a walk around the park, bowling, going to a restaurant or an outing to the cinema. Any activity undertaken should be child led.    

 

There is a visit budget of £40 for activities per month and mileage for volunteers is reimbursed on top of this.  

Volunteers are supported through regular supervision with the service coordinator and are offered ongoing support and training. No experience is necessary, just the willingness to pledge a few hours a month at the weekend to the young person and support their wellbeing 

 

You should be over 21 years old, able to commit for two years, thereby providing the young person with long-term consistency, and be able to spare at least 2-6 hours per month.  

Before you can become an Independent Visitor Cambridgeshire County Council undertake interviews, references, and checks, including an enhanced DBS (criminal records) check. You will need to complete a training programme, involving safeguarding training.  

What we will provide to volunteers

💸 Reimbursement of costs🤝 Extra support

Getting there

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About Cambridgeshire county council - Independent Visitor Service

Cambridgeshire's Independent Visitor Service matches young people in care with volunteer befrienders called Independent Visitors or IVs. The aim of the service is to help looked after young people to develop a positive 1:1, long lasting friendship with a trusted adult outside of the care system. Some of our young people are based out of Cambridgeshire. We currently have a young person based in Peterborough for whom we are seeking to recruit an Independent Visitor.