Independent Visitors

What is an Independent Visitor?

Independent Visitors are adults who give up their spare time to visit and befriend children who are looked after (in care) and that have little or no contact with their family. Independent Visitors are completely separate to Children's Services - that's why they're called independent. They are chosen to be trustworthy and to have things in common with you.

As far as we can we will try to find an Independent Visitor who will share some of your interests. We will also e looking for people who share similar backgrounds, things like ethnic origin, culture and religion, or other things that might be important to you.

The Independent Visitor doesn't replace your carer or social worker, but is an extra person who is there just for you. The Independent Visitor visits you because they want to and because hopefully they will get on with you.

What use are they?

IVs can support you and help you make the most out of life.

If you wanted to, with your IV you can do activities or learn new things such as:

Going to the cinema
Walking on the beach
Coffee and a chat
Attend your reviews with you
Find out about what you want to do when you grow up
Develop our skills and interests
Do things you have never done before
Help you get your views across
Visit young people’s advice places
Make a book of your life with photos and mementos
Prepare for meetings involving decisions about the future
HAVE FUN!

Do I have a say in what happens?

YES!

It is important that you have a say at every stage, right from the start when the idea of having an IV is first mentioned. We will ask you if you want one, what sort of person you think you would get on best with, how often you would like to see them and the things you would like to do.

Then when we find an IV, we will make an agreement about how often you will meet, where and for how long, and some of the things you would like to do together.

How do I get an IV?

You can ask to have an IV if you are ‘looked after (in care) by East Riding of Yorkshire Children’s services, and you don’t see much of your own family. Your social worker or carer may already have spoken to you about having an IV and it can be looked into before your next review.

Or you can phone, mail or text the Participation Team and talk to us about it.

If we all agree at your review that it’s a good idea, then your name will be passed on to the IV coordinator who will come and meet with you to talk about it.

There may be some wait while we find someone to suit you, but hopefully it will be worth it in the end.

Telling us how things are going

We like to make sure that everything is OK for you and your IV so we will come and see you and you can tell us how things are going. If you are having any difficulties, you can call us and we will try our best to help sort things out.

You might reach a point where you think you don’t need an IV any more, and that’s OK because at every stage we will do our best to listen to YOU and what YOU have to say, to take YOUR views and feelings on board.

Do you want to know more?

Then get in touch with Jayne Betts on:
Tel: 01482 396830
Mobile: 07770 700702
Email: jayne.betts@eastriding.gov.uk