Staffordshire Independent Visiting
Independent Visitors are volunteers who offer support to children and young people who are living with a foster family or in residential care, up until the age of 18. Access to Independent visiting sessions is a statutory entitlement for children and young people who are living with a foster family or in residential care.
Independent Visitors (IV) are independent from social services and anyone else in the child or young person’s life. Matches will be made between the child or young person and the IV based on similar interests. The child or young person can go out into the community once a month with their IV and choose what activities they would like to do.
This could include:
- Visiting the local park
- Swimming, bowling or football
- Dog walking
- Joining a club
- Have a drink and a chat
- A day out trying something new
Sessions are on a one-to-one basis and the IV will directly contact the child or young person’s carer to make any necessary arrangements after activities and session times have been chosen. IV’s will have the appropriate budget to facilitate the chosen activities.
IV’s aim to promote long term outcomes such as reducing social isolation, raising aspirations, increasing independence skills and provide support to build social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
You can download the independent visitor referral form below:
Further information