Independent Visitors For Children In Care (Next Training October 2026)

To be an Independent Visitor (IV) is to be a trusted adult to a child or young person in care, where it is thought that this will be in their best interests to provide opportunities for children and young people to develop meaningful, long term relationships with adults.

The IV Volunteer Scheme is a statutory service for children who are ‘looked after’ by the local authority. It is for those children who would benefit from having an independent adult in their life. This scheme is voluntary for the young person, which means that they can choose to have an Independent Visitor at any time from age 8 years, up until they turn 21. 

IVs need to be consistent and reliable, so that children can build a trusting, positive relationship with them over time.  The child will have the opportunity to try new activities and spend time with their IV away from their placement.

The IV will endeavour to become and remain a consistent adult in the child's life, who does not change when placements and social workers do.

IVs begin by supporting the young person fortnightly for the first 3 months, and then continue on a monthly basis.  IVs can meet with the young person Monday to Sunday between 9am and 8pm.

The Volunteer will:

• Attend training sessions
• Work with the volunteer coordinator to agree a match with a child/young person
• Attend an initial meeting with the child/young person to agree the ongoing support
• Meet with the child/young person and deliver the ongoing support agreed
• Keep and submit brief records about contacts/visits with the child/young person
• Endeavour to provide support for a minimum of a year
• Attend regular supervision/support session

Hampshire County council will

• Offer training relevant to the role
• Provide you with ongoing, high quality and timely support
• Pay mileage subject to criteria being met

Core Induction Training –Thursday 1 October 2026 (Winchester) 9.30am to 4.30p

Mentoring training – Thursday 8 October 2026 (Winchester) 9.30am to 4.30pm

There is an online information session available to anyone who is interested in knowing more about with Hampshire County Council Children's Services on 29th July. Copy this link to your browser for more information. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/hampshire-children-amp-families-volunteers-121353572014

This opportunity is subject to an application form, references x 2, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and satisfactory completion of training. 

Skills

Training and support will be provided therefore previous experience is not essential. We are seeking volunteers who feel able to:

• provide good communication and listening skills
• remain calm and impartial when dealing with families
• record accurate and timely information
• respect differing views of individuals and work in anon-judgemental way
• respect confidentiality and the agreed information sharing process
• have the confidence to report concerns to their Volunteer Coordinator
• maintain professional boundaries

Volunteers must be aged 18+.

Training dates for volunteers are released throughout the year and occur roughly quarterly. 

Followed by Strand training for Independent Visitors and Children in care (Online)

Watch a film about our volunteering service here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_wY0yZasIo 

All volunteers must also complete an online safeguarding course.