Volunteer Befriender for young people in care

An Independent Visitor (IV) is a volunteer who provides regular contact to a child or young person who is cared for by the local authority. The main purpose is to provide an adult who is separate from all the professionals involved in their life to build a trusted relationship, provide emotional support, and someone to talk to and to go out with into the community. The child or young person chooses if they want to use the service, who they are matched with, and if or when the relationship might end.

This is a great role for someone of any age (over 18) who enjoys spending time with children and young people. We ask volunteers to commit to volunteering in their role for two years, to ensure the child has stability.

The key activities of the role will include:

• Meet on a one-to-one basis with a child or young person you are matched with, establishing a relationship of trust and support.

• To visit the child/young person on a monthly basis, making suitable arrangements with their carer and to be reliable in keeping those arrangements.

• To remain independent of the local authority and to promote the child/young person’s developmental, social, emotional, religious and cultural needs.

• To undertake activities agreed with the child/young person which are suitable for his/her age, aptitude and ability.

• To be available to undertake training and 1:1 supervision on an agreed basis.

• To report to the service coordinator any concerns about the child’s/young person’s welfare.

What skills do I need?

Formal qualifications are not required as full training will be provided.

To be effective in this role, we ask that you are:

• Honest and trustworthy

• A good listener

• Responsive, understanding, and patient

• Friendly, approachable, and at ease in engaging with children and young people

• Reliable and dedicated in your role - the young people we support may have been let down by others

• Open minded, non-judgemental, and respectful of the backgrounds and circumstances of others

• Willing to travel to where the child or young person you are matched with is based

When do I need to be available?

Details

Commitment once a month when the YP are not in school.

Where does this role take place?