Independent Visitor (IV) Coordinator

About the service

Many children and young people who are looked after, living in foster care, or receiving support through care arrangements do not have a trusted adult outside of the professionals in their lives that they can rely on for support. Our Independent Visitor Service helps to change that.

We recruit and support dedicated volunteers who build positive, long-term relationships with looked after children and young people. By spending regular time together, volunteers provide friendship, encouragement and consistency, helping young people to build confidence, develop new skills, raise their aspirations and know that someone is there just for them.

About the role

Due to the continued growth of our Independent Visitor Service in Devon, we are looking for a passionate and enthusiastic Independent Visitor (IV) Coordinator, working 21 hour per week to join our established team. Following increased investment from the local authority, we are expanding the service to ensure even more children and young people across Devon can benefit from the support of a dedicated volunteer.

Working alongside two experienced IV Coordinators, you will play a key role in the day-to-day delivery and ongoing development of the service. Together, you will recruit, train and support a diverse team of volunteer independent visitors, ensuring they are well prepared and confident in their role before being carefully matched with a child or young person.

You will provide ongoing guidance and support to volunteers, ensuring high-quality support is delivered and that safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do.

The role also involves monitoring volunteer visits, maintaining accurate records, completing and reviewing risk assessments and working collaboratively with social workers, carers and other professionals. As a key link between NYAS and the local authority, you will build positive relationships with partners to ensure children and young people receive the best possible support.

This is a home-based role, however, you must live within the Devon geographical area to meet the requirements of the post, as regular travel across the county is required.

How to Apply

If you would like to have an informal discussion about the role, please contact Rob Elkins, Service Manager by emailing rob.elkins@nyas.net.

When making your application, please demonstrate using specific examples how your skills and experience meet the essential criteria outlined in the attached job description and person specification. Requirements include:

• Experience of working directly with children and young people in a social care setting, particularly those who are looked after or otherwise supported by children's services.
• Experience of recruiting, training and supporting volunteers and/ or staff.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, child protection and the legal framework relating to children and young people.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and partnership-working skills, with the ability to work effectively with children, volunteers and professionals.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills, with experience of maintaining accurate records, managing competing priorities and producing reports.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• A commitment to listening to and championing the voices of children and young people, while promoting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Interviews are scheduled to take place week commencing 2nd September 2026.

Safeguarding and Compliance

NYAS operates robust safe procedures to ensure the protection of the children, young people and adults at risk we work with. To comply with NYAS’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, references and a Digital Risk Assessment.

In accordance with UK immigration law, NYAS is required to ensure that all prospective candidates have the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. Therefore, proof of eligibility to work in the UK will be required as part of the recruitment process.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early once we receive a high number of applications.

About NYAS

As an established leading rights-based charity, NYAS (National Youth Advocacy Service) is well positioned to ensure that children, young people, and adults across England and Wales are fully respected, represented, and supported in expressing their views and having their rights upheld.

We work with care-experienced children, young people, and adults who are often reliant on statutory services suffering the negative impact of the cuts in public expenditure. Our combination of social care and legal services places us in a unique position to ensure that they receive the services they need and that their voices are heard.

We are an equal opportunities employer and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment which means NYAS welcomes applications from all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, or any other protected characteristic.

NYAS is proud to share that we are a Disability Confident Employer and we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for our vacancies.

Work with us to help change young lives.