3.11.2 Independent Visitors |
AMENDMENTS
This chapter was updated in October 2011 to take account of the changes made by the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. The circumstances in which an Independent Visitor must be appointed are widened to 'where it appears to be in the best interests of the child' (see Section 1, When to Appoint).
Contents
1. When to Appoint
An appointment of an independent visitor for a Looked After child must be made:
- Where it is in the best interests of the child to make such an appointment.
A decision to appoint an Independent Visitor will usually be made at a child’s Looked After Review, except where the child is placed in secure accommodation, in which case arrangements must be made by the child’s social worker for the appointment to take place as soon as practicable after the placement.
Where an appointment is considered necessary, the child’s social worker will identify whether there is a person already known to the child and independent of the local authority who may be suitable. If there is not, contact should be made with the VIVA Project (Volunteer Independent Visiting and Advocacy) to identify a suitable person.
Before the appointment is made, the proposed Independent Visitor must have been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau, Children's Services and Probation. The appointment must be confirmed in writing.
The child must be consulted about the appointment and if he or she objects, the appointment should not be made.
Where there are financial implications, the approval of the Complaints and Resolutions Manager should be obtained before the appointment is finalised.
The appointment must be confirmed in writing and may be terminated by the Independent Visitor or the local authority by written notice.
2. Duties of Independent Visitor
The Independent Visitor will have a duty to make regular visits to the child and maintain other contact, by telephone and letter as appropriate.
The main purpose of the visits and contacts will be to befriend the child and give advice and assistance as appropriate with the aim of promoting the child’s development and social, emotional, educational, religious and cultural needs.
The independent visitor should also encourage the child to participate in decision-making.
The views of the independent visitor should be sought before each Looked After Review and he or she should be invited if the child requests it.
Where the child is placed in secure accommodation, the independent visitor should be invited to the Secure Accommodation (Criteria) Review.
3. Review of Appointment
The need to continue the appointment should be considered at the child’s Looked After Reviews, and the child’s wishes and feelings will be the main consideration in deciding the need for the continued appointment.
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