What is a child contact centre?
A child contact centre is a resource that is available to parties where they can offer their facilities for supervised and supported contact.
Supervised/supported contact is used as a means to rebuild a relationship between a parent and a child and offers the child a safe space to do so.
The staff are accredited and are subject to DBS checks.
What is cost involved?
Contact centres charge for their offered services and a tailored quote should be obtained from the contact centre of choice.
Where do I find one?
The list of accredited centres is here Child Contact Centres – NACCC
What contact can take place in a contact centre?
Contact can be supervised. This is where there is an independent third person in the room with the parent and child. The child is not left unsupervised with the parent at any time. You can pay separately for a report to be generated following the sessions. These are typically helpful in assessing the progression of contact between a parent and a child.
Contact can be supported. This is where the contact between a parent and child takes place in the centre. This is not supervised. There are no reports generated. This is generally the step before contact progresses to unsupervised.
How can I set up contact at a contact centre?
A referral is made either by the Lawyer involved with the case or directly by one or both of the parents involved.
It is also important to notify the centre of any pending court proceedings and any relevant court orders that are in place. Safeguarding checks are undertaken by the contact centre staff to ensure that the contact between a parent and child is safe and there is no risk posed.
Once the referral is approved, an invite will be given for the child and their primary carer to attend the centre for a “pre visit”. This is so a child can familiarise themselves with the centre so that it is less daunting.
Once the pre visit has taken place, a place will be offered to set up the contact.
How long do I use a centre for?
This can depend on one of two things. The first is if you are court ordered to attend for supervised/supported contact, in which case it may be for CAFCASS or the Court to review.
If the referral is made outside of proceedings, it can be used for a period that allows a child to re-build the bond with the parent. Parents then agree between themselves as to how long they need to use the centre.
If you require further advice on this issue or any issues surrounding contact following a breakdown of a relationship, please do not hesitate to contact our family team on 0800 118 1500.