Independent visitors (IVs) are adult volunteers who provide independent, one-to-one befriending support to children in care. Their role is to “visit, advise and befriend” the young person with whom they are matched.
The 1989 Children Act made it a duty for Local Authorities to provide IVs for those young people living in care who have little or no contact from their parents or family.
Young people in care can often experience disruption in their lives. An IV is a trusted adult from outside the care system who can offer consistent, long-term support throughout the time a young person is in care.
Young people are matched with IVs on the basis of their interests and needs. Once an IV is appointed, they can be expected to visit and spend young person-centred quality time with the young person with whom they are matched, once a month. The support of an IV can continue until the young person leaves the care system.
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