Independent Visitors (IVs) are adult volunteers who give their time freely each month to visit a specific child or young person who is in care. An IV is an independent person who is not paid to visit you. The aim of the Independent Visitor is to build and develop a trusting and positive relationship with you by providing support for you with any issues you may be finding difficult in your life.

What does an Independent Visitor do?

• Develop long-term friendships.
• Motivate and inspire you to develop your interests and hobbies, or maybe even new ones too!
• Being a reliable and consistent person in your life.
• Listening to you, never judging you and being there for you.
• Being a person who is independent from your care who you can ask for advice.
• Encourage your educational journey.
• Being someone you can have fun with.
• Being someone you may come to trust.
• Someone who stays in contact with you.
• Someone who looks after your personal safety and welfare.

An IV will be reliable and committed to being in contact with you once a month. You will plan, budget and agree each monthly activity together. You will know when your IV will be coming to see you next and what activity or hobby you will be doing.

If I decide I want an IV, what do I do next?

• Talk to your Social Worker, Personal Adviser, IRO and/or carers. Ask them to make a referral to Advocacy Focus.
• Check out the website, Advocacy Focus, which gives you lots of information about how we can help and support you. Advocacy Focus is independent and confidential and there just for you!

What happens next?

An IV co-ordinator will arrange to speak to you. They will tell you more about the IV service and get to know you by asking you some questions, which include your likes and dislikes and what sort of person you would you like to visit you.

It may take some time for the IV co-ordinator to find you the right person. We need to make sure volunteers are trained and safe to come and visit you. Once we find the right volunteer, Advocacy Focus will contact you and send you some information about the volunteer. You decide if you would like to meet the volunteer and go ahead with visits.

Confidentiality

• IVs have to send a record of the visit, which is sent to the IV co-ordinator and is kept confidential on your file.
• All young people have the right to see their file.
• What you talk about to your IV is private. They do not tell other people about what you say unless there is a very good reason to do so. If you tell your IV something that makes them think that you or another child may be harmed, then they will have to talk to someone else about it.

Questions young people often ask about the IV service

What if I am not happy with my IV?
If you are unhappy with your IV, please tell us. It would be helpful to let us know why you are unhappy. We will listen to what you say. If you decide you no longer want an IV or would like someone else, please contact us and tell us what you want.

How long can my IV visit me for?
We ask volunteers to visit young people for at least two years. Young people can chose to end the relationship before two years. If you are both happy, you can continue to see each other for many years or until you become 18. Sometimes it can be until you are 19 to help you move into adulthood successfully.

What if I have a problem my IV can’t help me with?
Young people often need support in meetings or feel unhappy with decisions that are being made about their life, or it could be they just don’t feel listened to. An IV would suggest you may require support from an advocate. An IV can help you to make an advocacy referral or you can visit advocacy for more information.

Can I do any activity with my IV?
There are certain activities that are not allowed as we need to keep you and your IV safe. These include sailing, motorbiking, quad-biking and paintballing.

Can anyone have an IV?
Yes, as long as you are looked after and your Social Worker or Independent Reviewing Officer have agreed it is in your best interests to have an IV.

 

Supporting children and young people in St Helens to become more involved in important decisions about their lives.

We are passionate about helping children and young people have a say in the things that matter to them. Our advocates will champion the rights of young people in St Helens and ensure that every young person’s voice is heard, valued and at the centre of any decisions that affect their lives.

Many children who are looked after in care or who are in the child protection system often have choices made for them; we exist to ensure they have a say about the care they receive.

Our ultimate goal is to ensure all children are happy, healthy and safe.

What is the role of an advocate?

Our independent advocates can:

• Communicate the wishes and feelings of a child or young person.
• Attend decision-making meetings with the local authority, social services or school.
• Uphold their legal rights and human rights, ensuring that they are fairly treated.
• Easily explain information or processes that are happening in a way they understand.
• Assist them in making a complaint or in challenging decisions.
• Signpost to relevant services and ask questions to the relevant person on the child or young person’s behalf.

Why do children and young people need an advocate?

It is vital that children and young people feel supported. Children and young people who feel listened to are more likely to be honest about things that are affecting them.

If I decide I want an advocate, what do I do next?

You can:

• Visit the Advocacy Focus website and speak to someone through their online web chat.
• Call them on 0300 323 0965.
• Text them on 07886 744634.
• Email them at admin@advocacyfocus.org.uk