WIREDGOV

Cllr Roy Perry, Chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, responds to the Barnardo's report on independent visitors for children in care.

"Independent visitors can perform a valuable role in providing additional support to children in care, giving them the opportunity to build a consistent, positive relationship with an independent person alongside the love and support already provided by their foster carers, social worker and others responsible for their care. But the decision to introduce another adult into a vulnerable child or young person's life must always be made with their best interests in mind, and it is right that social workers consider each case individually before deciding whether to offer this additional support.

"Although the vast majority of councils currently provide independent visitors to children in their care, there is an urgent need for more volunteers to take on this hugely rewarding role. Children have a wide range of needs, so councils need a large pool of potential volunteers to make sure that children are matched with the most appropriate person. This report is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of this role, and we would welcome a nationally coordinated campaign to build on this awareness and recruit more people who could provide additional support and friendship to a child or young person. In the meantime, we would encourage anyone interested in finding out more to contact their local council."

Further information is available at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/news/97-per-cent-of-children-in-care-missing-out-on-mentors/press_releases.htm?ref=117669