Contact Centre


The Contact Centre offers support and guidance to families who are undergoing crisis, strain, disagreements, or under court injunctions.
We offer supervised and supported contact, in-direct contact and supported hand-overs for families.

We work with each family individually and court reports for supervised contact are prepared on request, these contain information gathered during the contact sessions and cover any areas of parenting ability which need addressing. If necessary we can help to work towards improving these issues.

We have included some frequently asked questions below. However, if you have any further queries please don't hesitate to contact us.

 

 


What is a Child Contact Centre?
A Child Contact Centre is a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members. It is child centred environment that puts the needs of the children first.

What is it like at a Child Contact Centre?
The most important people in the Child Contact Centre are the children. We aim to create a warm, sociable atmosphere where you and your children can relax and enjoy yourselves. The Centre has a wide variety of games, toys and books for children of all ages. You may want to bring along some favourite toys, special drinks, or other things you might need such as nappies.

How are the visits arranged?
Visits are by referral. The referral can be made by a social worker, solicitor, family mediator, CAFCASS officer (formerly known as the court welfare officer) or by a court order. Arrangements will vary depending on which type of contact session is taking place:

  • Supported Contact
    If you wish, you and your child/children can arrange to come and visit the Centre before the first visit. This will help you get to know the Centre and the staff and make your first visit easier.

  • Supervised Contact
    You and your child/children will be asked to come and visit the Centre before the first visit. This will help you get to know the Centre and the staff and make your first visit easier.
    The Contact sessions are usually arranged at a time to suit you and your children on weekday afternoons, and each session lasts an hour. All sessions will be supervised by a Contact Centre Officer and a supporting member of staff.
 
 

Do I have to meet my ex-partner when I go the Centre?
Not if you don’t want to. The Centre staff will deal with the handover of your child so you don’t need to meet your ex-partner, who will have been asked to arrive before you.

Is there anything I need to do?
As this is a special time for children to spend with the parent they no longer live with, please keep all disagreements out of the Child Contact Centre. Remember your child is hurting too. Make this a happy time for them.

What happens if I can’t come at a time when I’ve arranged a visit?
Let the Contact Centre Officer know as soon as possible – contact details are on the bottom of this page

Does the Centre make any reports about us?
Observations are made and written up and these are used to advise your solicitor or Family Court Advisor on how the sessions have been progressing. The observations are then used by us or Cafcass to write up a report summarising the sessions and
suggesting how your family should progress in the future.

What are the costs for contact sessions?

Contact Type

Service Description

Price

Times

Supported

Several families at a time, supported by one Contact Officer and volunteers.
No notes taken.

£13.00
per hour

Friday early evenings and Saturday mornings

Assisted

One or two families only, supported by two Contact Officers.
Observation notes available after each session.
No court report.

£30.00
per hour

Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1.00pm – 6.00pm

Supervised

One family supported by two Contact Officers.
Full observation reports available after each session and written court report on request

£75.00
per hour

Monday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
1.00pm – 6.00pm

Handover

Use the National Children’s Centre as a safe, secure place to “handover” children between separated parents. Parents do not have to meet

£6.00
per handover

Daily

Indirect

Passing on cards and presents

£6.00 per contact

As required

Are there any rules?
• Parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children at all times
while at the Centre.

• You must provide a contact number when leaving children at the Centre.

• A child may only be taken from the Centre during a visit if this is stated on the referral
form, or with the written consent of both parents.

• Relatives and friends can only attend if they are named on the referral form.

• There must be no arguing in front of any of the children. Abusive or aggressive
behaviour and racist or other abusive remarks will not be tolerated. Any visitor
acting in such a way will be asked to leave.

• Finally, please: No smoking in the centre. Switch off your mobile whilst you are with
your child. Don’t bring any pets. No taking photographs, video filming, or the use of
portable computers unless the other party and the Coordinator or Team Leader have
given their permission. Alcohol, drugs, or anyone under the influence of these will
not be allowed onto the premises.

 

  

For further information on the contact centre, please contact Clare Hudson on
 (01484) 519988 or send an e-mail

Want more information on Contact centres?
Click on this link to visit the National Association of Child Contact Centres