Job Description

Job title:

Co-Coordinator Independent Visitor Scheme

Salary:

31,067 - 32,654 (pro rata)

Hours:

18.5 hours

Contract:

Permanent

Location

: Various office bases


As a Coordinator for the Independent Visitor Scheme (IVS) you make an important contribution to the goal of improving outcomes for looked-after children. The primary focus of the role is to recruit train and support volunteers in their role as independent visitors to befriend and take out on visits a young person who is looked after.


Coordinators visit children and young people who have expressed an interest in having an Independent Visitor to find out more about their interests and what they are looking for in a match. Ensuring children voice is heard in the selection of an independent visitor, the visits they undertake and get the chance to share their views on the relationship. The Leeds Independent Visitor Scheme is committed to the

Leeds Children and Young People's Plan 2023-2028

and the

Child Friendly Leeds 12 Wishes

.
Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our

council values

and

ambitions

.

About you

As a coordinator for the IVS, you will:


Support the recruitment and provision of independent visitors for children looked after in Leeds. Ensure the wishes and feelings of the child are considered and promote the voice of the child, ensuring the child understands what an independent visitor is and what they can expect from the independent visitor should they choose to request one. Support, train and oversee a caseload of volunteers to carry out their role and maintain expectations and boundaries of the scheme

About the role

The Independent Visitor Scheme in Leeds is a small team consisting of one senior coordinator and three full time equivalent coordinators, we situated within the Integrated Safeguarding Unit (ISU).


As a Coordinator for Leeds independent visitor scheme, you will thrive on working in an inspiring team and driving restorative practice. You will be passionate about working in a service to create a

Child Friendly Leeds

and be aligned with the

Best City Ambition

. In this role you will model skills in relationship building, developing positive working partnerships and demonstrate Leeds City Council core values throughout your work. You will look to ensuring best practice and being innovative in your approach.

What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:


a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities a range of

staff benefits

to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form.

Read our guidance

for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role, please contact


Kathryn Heaton - Senior Coordinator 0113 378 6821 email

Kathryn.heaton@leeds.gov.uk

The closing date for application is

Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at 11:59 PM

The interview date is Thursday 16th September 2025

the candidates to be interviewed will be informed by the end of day via email on Tuesday 16th September 2025 please therefore hold the full day in your diary.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children's or Adults' barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our

recruitment of ex-offenders policy

.

We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the

Skilled Worker visa

route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least 41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

Job description

Job purpose

To fulfil the Directorates statutory obligation to appoint volunteer independent visitors to visit, advise and befriend children and young people looked after by the Department.

Responsibilities

To recruit suitable volunteers from all sections of the community to work with young people referred to the service Facilitate and co-ordinate induction training for successful volunteer applicants. Manage a caseload of approved Independent Visitors, ensuring they receive appropriate ongoing support and supervision. To ensure that, as far as possible, the appointment of an independent visitor is done sensitively and has regard to the children to the child's needs and abilities in terms of age, gender, cultural heritage and interests. To process the referrals of young people, ensuring they meet the specified criteria and provide information and guidance to social workers, carers and other professionals regarding the role of the independent visitor. To undertake visits to children and young people upon receipt of referral to explain the scheme and discuss with them a possible independent visitor. To contribute to decision making processes in matching young people with independent visitors, including consultation with professionals such as social workers, carers and Registered Managers of children's establishments when considering suitable matches for children and young people. To organise and facilitate introductory visits between independent visitors and young people. To maintain accurate and up to date records of matches between independent visitors and young people. To regularly review established matches to ensure the continuation of relationships, including seeking formal feedback from young people, carers and other professionals. To liaise with professionals to address issues as they arise.
To provide ongoing support to independent visitors including;


arranging and facilitating evening/weekend support groups and training sessions arranging and facilitating evening/weekend social events for independent visitors and their young people Termination of an independent visitor's appointment when necessary in conjunction with the line manager. Contribute to the production of a quarterly Newsletter. To contribute to ongoing monitoring and evaluation of the service in conjunction with other officers and the line manager. To participate in promotional and marketing activities in order to meet the demand for Independent Visitors. To participate in training and development activities as necessary to ensure up to date knowledge, skills and continuous development. To undertake other duties appropriate to the post as required. To comply with the requirements of all Leeds City Council and Departmental policies, procedures and staff instructions, including responsibilities under the Health and Safety Policy and Procedures.

Qualifications

A social work qualification or other relevant qualification is desirable

Essential requirements

It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be short listed for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Ability to pass information accurately and concisely between service users, carers, colleagues and other agencies Ability to work on own initiative Ability to support independent visitors in adhering to a child centred approach Ability to organise and prioritise work Excellent oral and written communication skills Ability to travel throughout the Leeds City Council area. High Quality presentation, training and assessment skills Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends Ability to supervise and manage volunteers. Ability to set targets, acknowledge constraints and monitor progress. Ability to work as part of a team. Recruitment skills including interviewing and assessing potential volunteers. Analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to promote volunteering opportunities and achievements within the Leeds Independent Visitor Scheme, including the use of social media Motivational skills, enthusiasm and an ability to work to deadlines Administrative, report writing and computing skills, including use of the internet and social media. Knowledge of challenges facing vulnerable young people and of a child centred approach. Knowledge of young people living away from their families. Experience of organising volunteers or of working with children, young people and families

Behavioural & other Characteristics

Understand and embrace

Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours

and codes of conduct Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the

Best City Ambition

of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures. Carry out all duties having regard to an employee's responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing Willingness to actively participate in appraisal, training and development activities to ensure up, to date knowledge and skills. Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade. Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity of Leeds City Council. Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person
The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol, and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable Skills, Knowledge and Experience

It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates


Ability to supervise paid staff, e.g. scheme's administrator. To be creative and develop innovative practice including working with volunteers and young people and developing training and support. Facilitation skills. Planning and strategic skills. Experience of the management of volunteers in relation to working with young people. Experience of child protection and safeguarding procedures in relation to young people. Experience of the care system and statutory guidelines. Experience of issues facing looked after children and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Experience of being a volunteer Experience of training both course design and delivery. Experience of working with children and young people. * Knowledge of the problems of disadvantaged groups.