Hosted by: BMBC
As an Independent Visitor, after being matched with a child or young person, you will visit them once a month with the aim of establishing a consistent, positive adult-child relationship. Your monthly visits can involve anything from football in the park, seeing the latest films or new things that the young person wants to do. Most importantly we hope that you will enjoy each other’s company and have some fun together.
The role involves:
• Establishing a long-term, consistent, and supportive relationship with a child or young person (between 8 and 25 years old) who is looked after by the Local Authority. Helping to motivate them, develop their social skills, ensure they feel valued and encourage them to reach their full potential.
• To meet regularly with the child or young person on monthly basis offering friendship, support, and advice. Engaging in visits, positive activities, and outings that are planned between yourselves, dependent on their interests.
• To work in partnership with the local authority while maintaining the independence necessary to this role, promoting the child’s or young person’s social and emotional development.
• Willingness to undertake any training relevant to the role and a commitment to safeguard and protect children and young people at all times.
• Contribute to the child or young person’s Looked After Child review if requested.
Days required: Mon AM, Mon PM, Mon EVE, Tues AM, Tues PM, Tues EVE, Weds AM, Weds PM, Weds EVE, Thur AM, Thur PM, Thur EVE, Fri AM, Fri PM, Fri EVE, Sat AM, Sat PM, Sat EVE, Sun AM, Sun PM, Sun EVE
How many volunteers are needed: Varies
Recruitment process:
Prospective volunteers will initially meet with the Volunteer Coordinator to find out more about the role and assess their suitability. Once a volunteer has been accepted on to the programme they will be required to complete mandatory training programme to prepare and support them in this role, the training is usually delivered weekday evenings or weekends. Once the training and paperwork is complete and an enhanced DBS application has been issued then they will be matched to a young person and visits can begin. The length of this process depends on the availability of the training, the receipt of all the paperwork and the timescales for the DBS checks to be completed so it can vary.
Email Independentvisitorsinfo@barnsley.gov.uk for more information.
Skills and qualifications:
Experience of working with children and young people would be helpful but is not essential as full training and support is provided at the beginning and throughout your involvement with the service. Applications are welcome from anyone over the age of 21 who has a genuine interest in the support and welfare of children.
Here are some of the skills, abilities and qualities that are required for this volunteer position:
• Must be 21 or over to volunteer with us
• Ability to work independently and use own initiative
• Ability to communicate effectively with children and young people
• Be a good listener
• Be reliable and punctual
• Ability to receive and accept support and guidance
• Able to provide a long-term commitment potentially until they are 21 years old (with a minimum commitment of 12 months)
• Commitment to promoting the safety and welfare of young people
• Have a understanding of the challenges for looked after children/young people
• Ability to deal with sensitive, confidential and potentially distressing information
• Sensitivity to the needs and wishes of the child / young person
Gender restrictions? No
Type of activity: Befriending and buddying, Youth Work
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