Independent Visitor

From 1 April 2011, an Authority looking after a child has a duty to appoint a person to be the child's Independent Visitor where it appears to them that it would be in the child's best interests to do so. (This is much wider than the previous provision whereby an Independent Visitor could be appointed where there was infrequent communication between the child and parent(s)).

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.