3.3.2 Independent Visitors

AMENDMENTS

This chapter was updated in March 2011, including to take account of the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2011.

Introduction
Selection and Training of Independent Visitors
Referring Children for an Independent Visitor
Matching Visitors and Children
Expectations of Visitors and the Limitations of the Visitors Role
Ending of the Placement of an Independent Visitor
Ongoing support for Independent Visitors
Independent Visitor's Expenses
Child Protection Concerns

1. Introduction

1.1	Children and young people may benefit from contact with a well-matched Independent Visitor. An Independent Visitor can safeguard and promote the interests of a child they are matched with. They can contribute to the child's social, emotional and educational development. They can encourage a child to exercise their rights and where appropriate advocate on their behalf.
1.2	Independent Visitors, as with anyone who has contact with children, should be carefully selected for their ability to relate well and safely to children and they should be trained and supported in their role.

2. Selection and Training of Independent Visitors

2.1	Members of the public who express an interest in becoming an Independent Visitor are sent information about the Independent Visitor Scheme. They are invited to send in an application form. If they have relevant work and/or voluntary experience with young people, they are invited to attend an interview with the Independent Visitor Volunteer Co-ordinator (IVVC). This interview is recorded by the assistant to the IVVC and a transcript of the interview is kept.
2.2	Following a successful interview, an applicant is invited to attend the next stage of the selection procedure to become an Independent Visitor, which is the training course. At this stage, an enhanced CRB is carried out and references are sent for. A visit to the home of the prospective Independent Visitor is made by the IVVC and a medical reference is sought from the prospective Independent Visitor's GP.
2.3	All volunteer applicants are expected to attend the Independent Visitor training course. The training consists of six two-hour sessions. The topics covered in the training course are attachment and loss, listening skills, child protection, the role of the Independent Visitor, the asylum process and managing difficult situations with young people.
2.4	During the training course, the participants are expected to complete written work and evaluation forms after each session. Any sessions missed are to be attended at the next training course before a training certificate can be issued to the volunteer.
2.5	The training forms part of the assessment process. If there are any concerns about what is said by a potential Independent Visitor, the way they come across or interact with other staff or volunteers during the training course this is carefully considered. If they are thought to be unsuitable to become an Independent Visitor, they will not be invited to continue with the assessment process. They can be referred to other more appropriate volunteer agencies or asked to apply to the scheme at a later date if they need further relevant experience.
2.6	The manner in which volunteers present during the training is considered relevant to the way they may fulfil their volunteer role with a child. If someone is late for any training session for example, this is discussed with the volunteer. If necessary, they are asked to repeat the training to show that they are able to attend punctually as punctuality is considered an important part of the Independent Visitor role.
2.7	If someone has successfully completed all the training sessions and the written assignments, they are invited to a panel interview. The panel interview is recorded.
2.8	The panel consists of two members of staff of the Children, Young People and Learners Department. An experienced Independent Visitor may also invited to be on the panel, a care leaver or another person chosen by the Chair of the panel. The decision of the panel in respect of the suitability of a person to become an Independent Visitor is final.
2.9	A formal presentation of the training certificates is held for all newly appointed Independent Visitors. All current Independent Visitors, their child, guests and staff who have connections with the scheme are invited to the presentation.

3. Referring Children for an Independent Visitor

3.1	At a child's Looked After Review, they are offered an Independent Visitor if they meet the criteria which are: It would be in a child's best interests for an Independent Visitor to be appointed The child wishes to have an Independent Visitor
3.2	A child may make a direct request to the scheme to have an Independent Visitor. If so, their social worker will be contacted to ensure that this is a suitable request and that liaison will take place between the social worker, an Independent Visitor and the I.V.V.C. with regards to appointing an Independent Visitor.
3.3	Other members of staff such as teachers, foster carers, key workers or support workers are able to contact the scheme directly to discuss the possibility of a child having an Independent Visitor. As with a self-referral, the child's social worker will be contacted to ensure that this is a suitable request and that liaison will take place between the social worker, an Independent Visitor and the I.V.V.C. with regards to appointing an Independent Visitor.
3.4	A referral request for an Independent Visitor can be made at any time in addition to the review process. As there may be a delay in placing an Independent Visitor, or indeed it may never be possible to find a suitable Independent Visitor, staff need to have realistic expectations about the possibility of a child having an Independent Visitor and when they discuss the scheme with them.

4. Matching Visitors and Children

4.1	In an ideal world, the matching process between a child and a potential Independent Visitor would take many factors into account. As the present Independent Visitor scheme is relatively small, and the pool of potential Independent Visitors is limited, the matching process is done as sensitively and carefully as possible with the pool of Independent Visitors available at the time.
4.2	Usually Independent Visitors are matched with a child of the same gender. Very occasionally, an older female Independent Visitor may be matched with a boy or young man if his social worker considers that it is the most suitable match for a particular child.
4.3	One of the factors to be taken into account in the matching process is a practical issue such as where the child lives and whether the Independent Visitor is able to travel to that location. If a child is relatively independent, and can travel to meet their Independent Visitor, then this can make matching easier in some cases.
4.4	If a child wishes to meet their Independent Visitor during the week and the Independent Visitor is only available at weekends this match could not go ahead. Similarly, if a child is very active and keen on sport and a potential Independent Visitor enjoys sedentary activities this may not be a suitable match.
4.5	Volunteer schemes usually attract more women than men but there are more referrals to the Independent Visitor scheme for boys than girls. Efforts are being made to actively recruit more men to the scheme to help meet the needs of the young boys referred to the scheme who are waiting for a suitable Independent Visitor.

5. Expectations of Visitors and the Limitations of the Visitors Role

5.1

An Independent Visitor is expected to visit, advise and befriend their child from a lay perspective. This will include:

Contributing to the welfare of a child promoting their developmental, social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs.
Encouraging a child to exercise their rights and participate in decisions which will affect them
Supporting the care plan for a child unless they feel there is clear evidence to act differently
To appropriately challenge a child's care plan if they or the child have any concerns, ensuring that the 'child's voice is heard'
Passing on to relevant staff in the Children, Young People and Learners Department any issues of concern expressed by a child or any concerns they may have about the child they are matched with

5.2

The limitations of the role are:

To remain child-focused however sympathetic an Independent Visitor may be to other points of view
Not be a substitute parent or carer but to compliment their activities
Not to counsel or advise a child in complex situations but encourage and support the child to seek help from their social worker

6. Ending of the Placement of an Independent Visitor

6.1	If there are any allegations about the actions of an Independent Visitor from a child or a social worker or anyone else, they are asked to stop all contact with their child. All further action will follow the procedures agreed in the London Child Protection Procedures which can be accessed via the button on the left hand side of the page.
6.2	If a child indicates that they do not wish to see their Independent Visitor any more, then the match between the Independent Visitor and the child is ended.
6.3	If a volunteer wishes to be matched with another child after one match has ended, this is arranged as soon as a suitable referral is received.

7. Ongoing support for Independent Visitors

7.1	Independent Visitors are expected to be able contact a child's social worker if they have concerns to pass on, information to give or questions to ask. If the child is unallocated, they should contact the duty social worker. If there are significant changes to a child's situation, it would be expected that the social worker would pass this information to the Independent Visitor on a 'need to know' basis
7.2	Regular meetings are held for all Independent Visitors and they would be expected to attend these meetings as part of their Independent Visitor role.
7.3	Independent Visitors can reasonably expect that the I.V.V.C. will offer them support and guidance in their Independent Visitor role.
7.4	If there are any concerns expressed by the Independent Visitor about the behaviour of their child during their visits such as poor punctuality for example or any other issue, this would need to be discussed with the social worker.

8. Independent Visitors' Expenses

8.1	The Independent Visitor is entitled to recover reasonable expenses incurred by them, for the purpose of their Independent Visitor role of visiting, advising and befriending a child.
8.2	The term 'expense' is meant to cover travel and out of pocket expenses but is not meant to be a regular payment or salary for undertaking the role of an Independent Visitor.
8.3	The local authority and Independent Visitor will need to reach a prior agreement about spending limits and how to obtain authorisation for additional expenditure.
8.4	The Independent Visitor will need to keep diary sheets, which need to be submitted along with their expense claim forms. The diary sheets will record the date, time and length of time the meeting between an Independent Visitor and their child took place. The activities are to be recorded and also any matters of concern regarding the child. Any contact with a child's social worker is also to be recorded.
8.5	The costs incurred by an Independent Visitor will be met by the child's social work team.

9. Child Protection Concerns

9.1	An Independent Visitor is expected to pass on to a child's social worker any issues of concern about a child. This will include, for example, any disclosure of past or present abuse, bullying, depression or suicidal thoughts or actions.
9.2	The Independent Visitor is expected to meet with their child on a one-to-one basis. If another child is present when an Independent Visitor meets their child, they are not expected to meet both but re-arrange their meeting for another time. They would need to inform the child's social worker about this as soon as possible.
9.3	The Independent Visitor is not expected to have anyone else with them when they meet their child unless this has the prior agreement of the social worker. If any other adult meets a child through an Independent Visitor this would need to have been agreed in advance with the child's social worker and they would also need to have an enhanced CRB clearance check by Croydon Council.
9.4	Independent Visitors are encouraged to meet their child as far as is reasonably practicable in a public place such as a cinema or shopping centre
9.5	In exceptional circumstances, it may be appropriate if the relationship between an Independent Visitor and a child has developed in a satisfactory way, for an Independent Visitor to invite a child to their own home. This must be within the overall care plans for the child and have the prior agreement of the social worker. To visit an Independent Visitor's home is a reasonable expectation for a child, as they know that other children visit friends in their own homes. This must be done with careful planning and not done in a spontaneous manner.
9.6	If the social worker agrees that a child can visit the Independent Visitor in their home, all other adults they may meet whilst on a home visit will need to have enhanced CRB clearance from Croydon Council before the visit takes place.

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