I have been told that I have been allowed supervised contact with my child/children in a contact centre – what does this mean?

What is a contact centre?

A contact centre is a safe and neutral place where children can have contact with the non-resident parent or other family members. This is to ensure the relationship with the non-resident parent, siblings or other family members can be maintained in a safe setting.

In summary, a contact centre is a safe and impartial setting, with Facilities that have a range of age-appropriate toys and games to allow a parent to have contact with their child in a relaxed environment.

The parents of the child do not have to interact with each other. There are some centres that offer supervised contact. This is where staff are present to monitor the interactions, especially if there are concerns about a parent’s ability to care for the child. The supervisor is likely to write up a note in respect of the contact i.e. how it went and if there were any concerns.

Other centres offer supported contact, where staff are available for assistance but not actively monitoring.

Why do I need a contact centre?

Contact centres help children maintain relationships with non-resident parents or other family members, which can be especially important after separation or divorce.

The parents may agree to use a contact centre. I

Itis also common for the court to order supervised contact to take place between a child and the non-resident parent at a contact centre.

How do I arrange visitation at a contact centre?

You can either refer yourself for use of a contact centre or alternatively may be assisted by your solicitor, family mediator or a Cafcass officer.

You can locate contact centres on the following link https://naccc.org.uk/find-a-centre/

It is suggested that contact is arranged at a centre close to where the child/children are currently residing.

What is the cost and how is it funded?

The fee for using a contact centre depends on the centre you are using but you can expect to pay around £50 – £85 per hour.

There are several ways that a contact centre can be funded. It is on a case-by-case basis.

this could be:

• The non-resident parent seeking contact pays for this solely;
• You pay for this solely;
• You split the costs between the child/children’s parents,
• ia charities.

Are my visits with my child/children confidential?

Information concerning the child/children and family are confidential. However during the course of proceedings, the contact logs/reports can be shared with the relevant parties in the proceedings and the court.

To contact our family team please email family@albinandco.co.uk or call 01189 574018.