COULD you spare two hours per week and help to transform the life of a rejected, hurt or simply lonely child?

Blackpool social services are looking for men and women over the age of 18 who would be willing to dedicate a significant part of their time to being an independent visitor to a child or young person in care who has no reliable adult in their life.

The child could potentially be of any age -- although they will predominantly be ten years or over -- and they will all be under the care of the local authority and have little or no contact with their parents or people with parental responsibilities.

Applicants need to bear in mind that the children may well suffer from physical or mental problems and will come from a range of distressing backgrounds, often with no other responsible adult in their lives who they can confide in.

As the name suggests, independent visitors will be just that -- totally independent of social services or anyone who works for social services. They will act as an adult friend who befriends and visits a child, provides support and advice and encourages the child to exercise his or her rights. They will promote the developmental, social and emotional needs of the child and complement the role of the carers. They are not a substitute parent, carer or social worker, professional advocate or someone who just provides treats.

Care planning officer for Quality Protects, Sue White, explained the importance of the role: "The independent visitors scheme has come out of legislation from the Children's Act and is designed to match safe and appropriate adults with needy and vulnerable children.

"The vetting procedure will be very strict, we will conduct various police and health checks on each applicant and review the child and visitor's progress at regular intervals.

"Each successful applicant will be sent on a five-day training course to help them fulfil these young people's needs. We are looking for people who will stick with it and see the child through to adulthood in some cases. They must have the welfare of young people at heart."

If you think that you would make a good independent visitor please contact Janet Eastwood, the independent visitors co-ordinator, on (01253) 476928.