Independent Visitor

What is an Independent Visitor?

An Independent Visitor befriends and supports a child or young person in care, taking them out on a visit every month to do an activity of choice and taking a general 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!

Volunteers are matched with children and young people on an individual basis, which is led both by the needs of that child / young person, and who they would like to be matched with. 

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.

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.

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.