4.14.2 Independent Visitors |
AMENDMENTS
This chapter was slightly amended in September 2011 to take account of the changes in the Care Planning, Placement and Case Reviews (England) Regulations 2010, in regard to the appointment of an Independent Visitor.
Contents
1. When to Appoint
An Authority looking after a child has a duty to appoint a person to be the child’s Independent Visitor where it appears to them that it would be in the child’s best interest to do so.
A decision to appoint an independent visitor will usually be made at a child’s Looked After Review.
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 Reconstruct.
Before the appointment is made, the proposed Independent Visitor must have been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB), Social 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 relevant manager should be obtained before the appointment is finalised. The appointment must be confirmed in writing and may be terminated by the visitor or the local authority by written notice.
2. Duties of Independent Visitors
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.
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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