Advocacy and Independent Visitor Scheme Services
Skip to:
Advocacy Service in Barnet
The Advocacy Service is available for children and young people who are either a Child in Care, child on a CP plan or a Care Leaver.
This service provides them with an independent advocate when situations occur that need to be mediated and a trained professional can advocate on behalf of the child or young person, ensuring their rights are respected and their views and wishes heard.
Advocacy Referral process
Please do remind children and young people you work with that this service is available to them and that they are able to self-refer directly using the following contact details, or you can refer on behalf of them by completing the referral form. Please ensure all referral forms are sent securely via the email below.
Email: LondonAdvocacy@actionforchildren.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7254 9408
Action for Children run drop-in sessions the first Wednesday of each month from 10am – 12noon, available to staff to discuss or refer a child/young person. Currently these are taking place virtually but we will look to revert back to face to face as soon as feasible.
Independent Visitor Scheme (IVS) Service in Barnet
The Commitment:
Independent Visitors (IVs) are unpaid volunteers who are matched with a young person in care for the purpose of “visiting, advising and befriending a looked after child or young person”. Independent Visitors meet with the young person at least once a month to share activities, spend time one-to-one and have fun.
The role is long term, with ideally a minimum commitment of two years, with the hope that the young person will benefit from a supportive, reliable, fun and confidential relationship with an adult who is independent from the professionals around them.
Activities in the matches are bespoke to the wishes and feelings of each young person, aiming to provide access to enriching opportunities, support new hobbies and interests, and offer ongoing support in areas such as growing independence and placement stability. For some children and young people, it is simply a space to talk and be heard.
IVS Referrals and Support
Social workers and Independent Reviewing Officers (IROs) can refer any young person who is looked after by the Local Authority. Young people who are referred may be isolated, placed out-of-borough far from their original support networks or generally in need of support in accessing cultural, leisure or educational opportunities. Having someone who listens to them and can be a consistent source of support is invaluable.
Age Considerations
While all young people up to 18 can be referred to the IVS, age restrictions mean that those who are 17 can only access the service up to their 18th birthday. This results in a shorter relationship with the volunteer they are matched with.
email sent securely to: London.independentvisitors@actionforchildren.org.uk for new referrals
Phone: 020 7254 9408 for further information
If you would like to discuss either services further please feel free to contact:
- Commissioner: Nadia Costa, Family Services
- Strategic Commissioning Manager: Tas Anjary, Senior Commissioner, Family Services