An Independent Visitor (IV) is a long-term befriender for children and young people who need to build trust with someone outside the care system. IVs provide a consistent trusted adult to befriend, advise and guide Children who are Looked After. Volunteers are trained to become Independent Visitors through a comprehensive training package. Young people can be placed across Greater Manchester. Independent Visitors are matched for at least one year to build that long-term trusted adult relationship.
Open to children who are Looked After by Bolton MBC only. The young person being referred need to be between the age of 8 and their 17th birthday.
The young person’s social worker should complete the Referral Form and email it to mentoring@blgc.co.uk
At every review, the Independent Reviewing Officer should ask if the young person would benefit from an IV. We only provide an IV to a young person who wants one and the relationship is monitored at reviews.
They are volunteers who go through a stringent recruitment and vetting process and received comprehensive training for the role. They are managed by the Coordinator and receive regular supervision and support. Any concerns about a IV should be directed to the Coordinator.
