News, Resources and Opportunities

We have asked The Children’s Society to provide support for you through opportunities such as an Advocate or an Independent Visitor.

If you live in other areas ask your PA for information for local Advocacy services, or search on the internet.

Advocacy

What is an advocate?

An advocate will support you to speak out about the issues that are important to you.

Advocates are:

• independent and provide a confidential service to you
• led by you and what you want to say or discuss and with whom

Advocates can:

• speak on your behalf and help you share your voice
• help you to understand information and guide you through processes (e.g. Looked After Reviews, Housing challenges, Mental Health Tribunals)

Independent Visitor

What is an Independent Visitor (IV)?

An Independent Visitor (IV) is a trained volunteer who helps you to access social activities once per month.

The service is open to children in care, aged between 8-18.

The IV Coordinator will meet with you every three months to review the relationship and how it is going.

How do I get one?

Your Social Worker can make a referral for you to have an independent visitor.

Then the IV coordinator would visit you and gather information about what you like to do and the qualities you would like in an IV.

You are then matched with an IV, you meet with them, and if you agree to continue, you can then plan your first activity meeting with them.

All activities are risk assessed before the session goes ahead.

You can have your own ideas about activities. Some that other young people have done are: Cinema and theatre trips, Bowling, Country walks, Football match, Basketball match, Ice cream farm visit, Yoga etc.

How do you refer for the Children’s Society support?

There are a few different ways you can refer for support:

• Email: cheshirecr@childrenssociety.org.uk​
• Phone: 0161 763 2170​
• Advocacy Referral form
• Independent Visitor Referral form

Referrals can be made by young people, parents or professionals.