Volunteer Independent Visitor

Independent Visitors support and befriend young people in care; take the opportunity to become a positive influence in a child’s life. Our Volunteer Independent Visitor role is available in Salford, Bolton, Liverpool and St Helens. Candidates must be able to pledge 3-4 hours per month.

Purpose of role

An independent Visitor is a responsible adult volunteer who acts as a positive role model to a young person looked after by a local authority. The young person has little or no contact with their parents. The IV will meet once a month with the young person to strive to be a positive influence in their life by celebrating success, encouraging them to express any concerns and influencing them to join activities that meet their hobbies and interests needs. The visit may involve just a friendly ear or it could be than you support them to gain access to the relevant education/health paths, access to physical / social activities, or taking them to the cinema, to a sporting activity or for a walk.

Key tasks

• Visit a young person on a monthly basis
• Befriend a young person establishing a relationship of trust and support
• Remain independent from professionals and to promote the young person’s progression in terms of social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs
• Encourage the young person to take up activities that fit in the young person’s hobbies and interests
• Listen to a young person’s worries or concerns and signpost to the relevant agencies for further support

You can download the role description and Privacy Notice below. The application form including equal opportunities monitoring opens up as an online form.

• Advocacy Focus Volunteer Independent Visitor – Role Description
• Advocacy Focus Volunteer Independent Visitor – Application Form
• Criminal Convictions Declaration Form

To apply, please click the Applications form above and type into the form, including equal opportunities. When filled in, simply click submit to send.

Advocacy Focus The Old Tannery, Eastgate, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 6PW

Although we would like to acknowledge each returned application, as a registered charity, we would prefer to avoid the costs this would incur. Therefore if you have not received a response, please assume you have not been short-listed for an interview.

Thank you for your interest.