What does the Independent Visitor role offer looked after children?

The Children Act 1989 introduced the role of Independent Visitors (IVs) for looked after children; their task is 'visiting, advising and befriending the child' (section 7(2)(a)). However, research has found that IVs are not being made available for all children in care who qualify for this support (Knight, 1998; Oakley and Masson, 2000). Knight (1998) estimated that there were fewer than 40 schemes running for around 120 English local authorities, a situation which is at the very least questionable given the established legal right of young people to access such a service. This article examines existing research studies of IV schemes and considers what Visitors can offer young people. Additionally, it shows that looked after children tend to view their IVs as friends and sources of emotional support, encouragement and practical advice, offering a consistent adult presence in their life, clearly demonstrating their significance for separated children.