Befriending Service for Children and Young People

The Authority seeks provision of a volunteer befriending service across the Council area for vulnerable, socially isolated Children/Young People identified by the Council as requiring additional support. The provision will support Children/Young People aged 8 to 18 years who live within North Lanarkshire, who are vulnerable and isolated and may be affected by a disability. North Lanarkshire Council operate a 'Befriending Service', outsourced to a specialist provider, who will support children and young people across North Lanarkshire with supportive, reliable relationships from volunteer befrienders to people who may otherwise be socially isolated. Volunteers act as positive adult role models to the young people. Through undertaking social, leisure and educational activities and outings with the young people, the volunteers encourage them to make positive changes in their lives which will benefit themselves and the local community. Befriending can also reduce the burden on other services which people may use inappropriately as they seek social contact. The Befriending service is based on the following main principles: Best interests, choices, ideas, preferences, needs Valuing and support Working together Rights based approach; listening, empowerment, prevention In North Lanarkshire, a befriending service has always meant ensuring that children and young people have as much choice and control as possible in overcoming life difficulties that they may face. The approach is based on promoting independence and social inclusion. Full details are available in the ITT document.