578 - Independent Visitor Service

To provide an Independent Visitor Service for children who are looked after by Wigan Council.

The Provider will provide an Independent Visitor who must be independent from the Authority, and ensure the young person is offered the opportunity to request an Independent Visitor who suitably reflects their ethnicity, language, religion or gender, and the request accommodated wherever possible.

The Independent Visitor Service will provide support by a reliable, consistent, and dedicated volunteer who will promote a sense of normal life to the young people in addition to any statutory support they receive. The Independent Visitor will promote the young person's welfare including their development, social, emotional, educational, religious, and cultural needs and ensure these have been met.

They will encourage the young person to exercise their rights to participate in decisions that affect them and support the young person's care plan. The Independent Visitor will provide information and signposting to other services that are appropriate and enable participation in a wide variety of social activities and differing social situations to enable the young person to take control over their own lives and promote a better lifestyle.