Interests

  • Children
  • Young People

Activities

  • Advice and Information
  • Caring and Helping People
  • Mentoring

What is an Independent Visitor?

An Independent Visitor befriends, assists and advises a child or young person in care, visiting them at their foster home or children’s home, spending one-to-one time with them and taking an interest in their life.

Dependent on the child’s interests and age, an Independent Visitor might go swimming with them, have a chat over a hot chocolate, or support them to speak up in a meeting.

The volunteers we are looking for:

  • Can offer time to visit a child once a month.
  • Are patient and enthusiastic.
  • Believe in promoting the rights of children in care.
  • Need to be over 21 years old.
  • And have plenty of energy!

People from a variety of backgrounds are needed and we are particularly short of men to be matched with boys who have specifically asked for a male volunteer.

What skills do I need?

We are looking for a Volunteer who is:

  • Resident of, or is willing to travel to West Sussex for visits.
  • Able to relate to children and young people and have fun with them!
  • Patient and willing to focus on the individual needs of the child.
  • Keen to participate in activities with them.
  • Consistent, reliable and trustworthy.
  • Able to maintain appropriate levels of confidentiality.

Volunteers also need to:

  • Have experience of positive engagement with children and/or young people, which may have been gained in a personal or voluntary capacity.
  • Commit time and energy to the role.

Applicants need to be: -

  • Aged 21 or over.
  • Committed to visiting a child once a month.
  • Visits are usually once monthly, and likely to include weekends and possibly visits after school or in school holidays.
  • Willing to commit to volunteer for 2 years.
  • Not working within a social care role with Looked After Children from WSCC.
  • Willing to undergo a full DBS check.
  • Available for training.

Volunteer applicants complete a training and induction programme, consisting of two training sessions from 9.30am - 4pm and two in-depth assessment interviews.

Ideally you will have access to your own transport.

How we support you:

  • Initial 2 day training, in-depth assessment, induction and then on-going training.
  • Regular supervision and support.
  • Reimbursement of agreed expenses.

Interests

  • Children
  • Young People

Activities

  • Advice and Information
  • Caring and Helping People
  • Mentoring

Details

  • Accessibility
  • Age Restrictions
    Minimum Age 21
  • DBS Check Required
  • Equal Opportunities Policy
  • Expenses Reimbursed
  • Health and Safety Policy
  • Ongoing Support
  • Suitable For Under 18s
    Minimum Age 21
  • Training Provided
  • Volunteer Induction
  • Volunteer Policy
  • Volunteers Covered By Insurance
  • Written Role Description

When can I volunteer?

Slot Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
Morning No No No No No Yes Yes
Afternoon No No No No No Yes Yes
Evening No No No No No Yes Yes

Location

This opportunity is available Countywide.

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