Staffordshire Children's Rights Service
What's an independent visitor?
Independent Visitors are adults who offer support to children and young people who are living with a foster family or in residential care. They are there to be on your side and do not get paid for their time. They are separate from social services and independent from everyone else in your life. We make sure you have an Independent Visitor who is right for you. We look at what you enjoy doing and match you with someone who you will get on with.
You can learn more about Independent Visitors in this; video from the National Independent Visitor Network Project
How do I get an independent visitor?
Are you aged 8 - 17? Do you live with a foster family, in a residential home or by yourself?
With your permission, your social worker or carer can refer you to us.
Contact us
If you'd like to find out more about what we do and how we can help you, please do get in touch.
Phone: 07912 120158
Email: [email protected]
If you'd like to refer someone to our Independent Visitor service, you can download our referral form here.
Out of hours number
This number is for any child or young person who needs to contact the service out of hours and is also a support line for Independent Visitors and foster carers.
It is not a number for professionals. If you are a professional, please contact the project directly.
Emergency out of hours number: 03003035355
Monday to Friday: 8am – 9am and 5pm – 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 4pm
Things you could do
- Swimming, bowling or football
- Dog walking
- A day out to try something new
- Visit the local park
- Join a club
- Have a drink and a chat
What we offer
• An Independent Visitor to visit and take you out once per month
• Support with your relationships, emotions, education, employment, physical health and independence skills
• Lots of fun!
• Confidentiality -we will only discuss you or anything you say if we are worried about the safety of you or someone else.
Info for professionals
Independent Visitors are volunteers who offer confidential support to a young person they have been specifically matched with. They are separate from social services, all other agencies and are there just for the young person.
Access to Independent visiting sessions is a statutory entitlement for children and young people who are living with a foster family or in residential care.
How it works
- One-to-one sessions, once per month in the community.
- Session times and activities are chosen by the young person in conjunction with their Independent Visitor, who will make arrangements directly with the carers.
- Independent Visitor are supervised by project staff and are given a budget for appropriate activities.
- The service provided is confidential -unless there is a concern about the young person or someone else
- Independent visiting sessions can continue for as long as the young person consents, up until aged 18.