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• working together 2010

Contents

1.	Advocates
2.	Independent Visitors
	2.1	When to Appoint
	2.2	Duties of Independent Visitor
	2.3	Review of Appointment

1. Advocates

An appointment of an advocate for a Looked After Child is appropriate where a child wishes to be represented at a meeting (for example a Looked After Review) or assisted in making a complaint or bringing a matter to the attention of the care provider, the local authority or the OFSTED.

Information must be provided to all Looked After Children about how they can gain access to a suitably skilled advocate by giving the names of independent organisations to the child, for example, the Voice of the Child in Care. 

Assistance must also be given to enable an advocate to be appointed for the child for example by approaching the Voice of the Child in Care or other independent organisation of the child’s choice for and on behalf of the child if requested to do so.

2. Independent Visitors

2.1 When to Appoint

An appointment of an Independent Visitor for a Looked After child must be made if it appears to be in the best interests of the child to make such an appointment.

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 must be made with an independent agency such as the Voice of the Child in Care to identify a suitable person.

Before the appointment is made, the proposed Independent Visitor must have been checked with the Criminal Records Bureau, Social Services, Probation and the NSPCC.

The child must be consulted about the appointment and if he or she objects, the appointment should not be made.

The appointment must be confirmed in writing and may be terminated by the visitor or the local authority by written notice.

2.2 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.

2.3 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.

End