Independent Visitor Coordinator

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

Barnsley is the place of possibilities. A place where all children and young people can benefit from the opportunities that great childhoods can bring. We want to create and celebrate these opportunities to prepare all children and young people for their futures, helping them to learn, grow and be inspired.

The Great Childhoods Ambition is Barnsley’s commitment to improving the lives and futures of our children and young people, supporting every child to have a great childhood and ensure they feel they belong, and can explore, dream and connect.

Apply to join our friendly and welcoming team, where together we’ll make a real difference in children and young people’s lives by supporting them to be the best they can be.

Barnsley’s Targeted Youth Support Service is responsible for facilitating The Independent Visitors Volunteer (IV) Service for care experienced children and young people and those who may be on the edge of care. We are now looking to enhance our current service offer by employing another Independent Visitor Volunteer Coordinator to support more children and young people who are in care or on the edge of care and may benefit from the independent support of a positive adult role model.

Some children and young people who are cared for by a Local Authority have little or no contact with their parents or may be in the process of being reunited with parents whilst still in care. To safeguard and promote the interests of these children, there is a statutory requirement on Local Authorities within the Children and Young Person’s Act 2008 to appoint Independent Visitors to ‘befriend, assist and support them’. The scheme is available for all children and young people who are ‘in care’ at any point whether they are in residential homes, foster care, or other accommodation or placed out of area and we are now looking to further extend this offer to children and young people who are at risk of being placed in care.

The successful candidate will recruit and deliver training to Independent Visitor volunteers; manage referrals for the local authority and match young people with suitable adult volunteers. The successful candidate should be confident in their ability to mentor and support adult volunteers and their capacity to work as part of a team and independently as a self-starter. A good understanding of safeguarding legislation would be beneficial as would prior experience of working with vulnerable children and young people or children in care.

For further information please contact Emma Baines on 01226 753406.