Independent visitors scheme

What is an independent visitor?

Independent visitors are adult volunteers who give up some of their spare time to support children and young people who are living in care and who don’t have much contact with their own families.

The role of an independent visitor involves:

• Visiting their allocated child or young person regularly
• Listening and talking to them
• Offering information and advice
• Helping the young person to develop their skills and interests
• Attending reviews
• Going on outings and activities
• Helping to support the young person’s care plan.

All adults who volunteer to be an independent visitor are carefully checked by Wigan Council and the Disclosure and Barring Service before being matched with a suitable young person.

Induction training and ongoing support and advice is given to all independent visitors.

If you’re an adult who is interested in being an independent visitor

• You need time and space in your life to give to a child or young person
• Some experience of spending time with children and young people is helpful
• You need to have a genuine interest in helping young people, talking to them and developing a good relationship. You may need patience and a sense of humour!

Due to the nature of this work, we cannot recruit volunteers who are elected councillors or work within social care.

If you’re a young person, who is living in care and would like to have an independent visitor, please talk to your social worker or contact the Independent Visitors Co-ordinator.