The role of an Independent Volunteer Supporter

Our IVS will:

• be someone that you can trust and rely on
• respect your confidence and privacy
• listen and help decide what they want rather than tell them what to do
• understand the education system
• be good at making themselves understood
• not have a clash of interests

They are independent of decision making professionals. This means that they have no conflict of interest, which could be seen as influencing their ability to give impartial information or advice when they are providing support.

IVS are trained to be fully informed about local and national policies and procedures around SEND. This helps them to feel confident when working with children and young people, and their parents or carers, in a variety of ways and in different situations. They also have good communication skills and the ability to listen.