Independent Visitors

What an Independent Visitor is

We're looking for people from a variety of backgrounds to become Independent Visitors.

An Independent Visitor is a volunteer who spends quality time with a child or young person in care for a few hours every couple of weeks.

Many children in care are teenagers so we're particularly looking for people interested in working with this age group. No formal qualifications are required - just a genuine commitment to children and young people.

If you're over 18 and are interested, we’d like to hear from you.

Independent Visitors do not take on a parenting role, they are there to provide a sense of 'normal’ life to a young person who may:

• be living in a children’s home
• have moved among numerous foster placements

Who can become an Independent Visitor

Independent Visitors must be over 18 years of age, and may either be individuals or married or cohabiting couples.

Independent Visitors must be as independent as possible from Social Services. 

For this reason, they may not:

• work for Children and Families Social Services
• live with a partner who works for Children and Families Social Services
• be an elected member of the local council or live with an elected member of the local council 

Independent Visitors are not like parents, social workers, or carers - that is why they are called independent. They are ordinary people, like you, who volunteer their time because they like children and young people.

The role is unpaid, but volunteers can recover expenses, including transport and some money for activities.

What happens once you become an Independent Visitor

Once through the recruitment process, volunteers are carefully matched with young people.

We consider:

• hobbies and interests
• racial and cultural backgrounds
• preferences regarding the age and gender of both the child and the volunteer

When a match is made, there's a trial period of 5 or 6 visits before a definite commitment is made.

Once established in the role, volunteers are provided with opportunities for individual and group support, as well as further training and invitations to social events.

Benefits of becoming an Independent Visitor

Both volunteers and the children and young people they visit have reported that they find the experience rewarding.

Independent Visitors relate that they find abilities within themselves they did not previously recognise they had.

The volunteering experience provides the opportunity to:

• become more involved with the community
• develop skills relevant to career ambitions
• have fun

More information about the role

To discuss the role before you apply, contact the Independent Visitor Coordinator.

Find out more on the National Independent Visitor service website.

They have created a video to:

• raise the profile of the Independent Visitor role
• be an important campaign and IV recruitment tool
• support professionals to understand the value of Independent Visitor provision

View the Independent Visitors - Our Legal Right animation on YouTube.

Apply to become an Independent Visitor

Things to know before you apply

Children and young people eligible for Independent Visitors have a vast diversity of needs. We encourage people from a wide range of racial and cultural backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities, to apply.

You need to complete the application form and provide 4 referees. Because of the vulnerabilities of children and young people in care, the recruitment process includes police and other statutory checks.

Volunteers will receive training and a final assessment interview before an appointment is offered.

Brighton & Hove City Council Children & Families social care staff, their partners and local councillors are not eligible for this role due to potential conflicts of interest.

What we'll need

You'll need to provide:

• 4 compulsory references, 4 references will be followed up in writing and 2 will be followed up by phone
• supporting documents such as your Health Report or DBS certificate