Independent visitors

If you are “looked after” and living away from home, it is very important that you can have an adult visit you who is not part of Children, Schools and Families.  For some young people their parents or maybe adult family friends may visit them and will stay in touch with them during their time living away from home.

For many other young people their parents are not able to visit or stay in touch for lots of different reasons.  Sometimes there is no other adult who does this either.  When this happens “an independent visitor” may be the person who visits or phones you, to make sure you are OK and to be a friend for you.  “Independent visitors” are just normal people who are employed by the County Council and who like spending time with, and talking to, young people.

If you are placed in a secure unit you will automatically be given an “independent visitor”, even if you have lots of friends and family that are staying in touch with you.

If you think that you should have an “independent visitor”, please talk to your social worker about it.