ADULTS with time to spare to befriend a child in local authority care are needed for a major new scheme being launched in the North-East.

Children’s charity Barnardo’s is launching an Independent Visitor Service for children in foster and residential care in the region.

Shirley Storey, the Barnardo’s co-ordinator for the project, said children in care have a lot of adults in their lives, but that these are usually all professionals.

“What they often need is an adult who can be an advocate for them, to look out for them, but not as a professional, as a friend,” she said.

“This service gives children a chance to spend some quality time with someone who is not in their lives on a professional basis and gives them a chance to build up a one-toone, trusting relationship with an adult.”

She added that children in care often had little contact with their birth family.

“They need an adult in their lives who will encourage them to develop as successful and happy individuals, who they can talk to and turn to for friendship and advice and who will take them out on trips and activities,” she added.

Independent visitors are volunteers who are paid expenses.

They also receive a small allowance per visit to spend on the child or young person on days out and activities.

Ms Storey said: “What we need are people who would be prepared to give us a commitment of time and to offer a young person consistency and stability. The child needs to know that person will be there for them and won’t let them down.”

The first step to become a visitor is to send for an information pack.

Potential visitors do not have to have experience of working with children, as training and support will be given, but the charity says some understanding and knowledge of children is desirable.

Volunteers will have to undergo a criminal record check and agree to a general medical check-up.

Applicants must also take part in two full days of training.

Applicants are wanted from all local authority areas in the North-East. Anyone over 18 can apply.

For details, call 0191-492-9000 or go to barnardos.org.uk/get_involved