• Who can go to a contact centre?

    Separated families can be helped by a Children’s Contact Service. You can use a Children’s Contact Service whether or not you have ever married, or lived with your child’s other parent.

  • When do I use a contact service?

    You can use a Children’s Contact Service voluntarily or because you have been ordered by a court to use the service. The court can order that the handover of children, or the time children spend with a parent or another family member, be supervised.

  • What is a supervised contact visit?

    When a child needs to have a safe, controlled situation in which to spend time with their other parent or a family member, the visit can be supervised by a Children’s Contact Service worker.

  • What happens during supervised contact?

    The visits should be a happy time for the child. Our Children’s Contact centre has a range of toys and activities available for the child and parent to use. A service worker will observe the interaction between a child and his or her parent at all times. In separated families there are times when a child needs to be ‘handed over’ and ‘handed back’ to the parent or other family member who does not have the day-to-day care of them. In cases where either parent is not comfortable with meeting face-to-face, a service worker will facilitate or supervise the changeover.

  • Will my child be safe?

    If you are concerned about your child’s safety during the visits, discuss this with us before your first visit. We have arrangements in place to protect the safety of our clients and staff. If you have concerns about your safety or the safety of your children, you should let the service staff know as soon as possible.

  • What should I tell my child about supervised contact?

    Talk to your child and tell them where they will be meeting or spending time with their other parent or family member. Describe it as a safe and friendly place and you can arrange a visit to the contact centre before supervised changeovers or visits start. Make sure the child knows who they are going to see, and for how long, and who will be picking them up after the visit to take them home.

  • Will the supervision be neutral?

    Our service workers do not take sides and their focus is always on the child and not on the dispute that parents or other family members may have.

  • How does it work with the courts?

    If you decide to go to court for a decision about your children, the court may order you to participate in supervised handovers, or for the time that a parent or other family member spends with a child to be supervised at a specific Children’s Contact Service. You may go back to court if the court order expires, or if we are unable to continue to provide our services. If we recommend a variation of the order and you and the other parent agree in writing to new arrangements for spending time with your child, you may need to return to court for consent orders to be made. A court can order a report from a Contact Centre service provider at any time. Reports can provide the court with information about the time spent with the child at the service and can assist the court to determine whether to allow unsupervised visits.

What will it cost?

HOPE Contact Centre offers both handover and supervised visit services, which involve associated fees. We understand that financial circumstances can vary. If you are on a low income or experiencing financial difficulties, please do let us know. We are happy to guide you on how to explore potential funding options through your local authority to access our services.

A registration fee of £100 is a one-time payment that grants you access to the full range of services offered at our Contact Centre.

SUPPORTED CONTACT (Mon-Fri) SUPPORTED CONTACT (Sat-Sun)
£30 per hour
£40 per hour
Same day handover weekdays Same day handover weekends Overnight handover
£30
£40
£50
Days Venue Rates (hourly) Supervisor Rates (hourly) Reports
Monday – Friday
£15
£41
£10
Weekends
£15
£57
£10
Bank Holidays
£30
£82
£20

HOPE CONTACT CENTRE RULES

APPOINTMENTS & CANCELLATION

  • The contact session will start and finish at the agreed-upon time.
  • No excuses will be accepted for lateness.
  • Parents attending the session must arrive 15 minutes prior to the start of the contact session and at the end of the session, wait 15 minutes in the contact room.
  • If parents arrive late, the contact session will not take place.
  • The visits are for the named parent only and will take place at the venue at all times. No person other than those named on the visit sheet will be allowed into the visit.
  • Cancellation notice should be 24 hours before contact time; otherwise, the session will be charged.
  • If the resident parent is the one cancelling the session, the person responsible for the payment will still be held accountable.
  • If a parent is unable to attend the visit at any time, they are required to telephone the contact centre on the telephone number 07984653125 as soon as possible to prevent their child/ren being brought to the venue unnecessarily.

CONTACT CENTRE ATMOSPHERE

  • It is essential the visits are a positive experience for all children and young people.
  • It is the parent’s responsibility to stimulate and ensure the safety of their child/ren during the visits.
  • Parents are free to use all the facilities on offer, however, we ask that they should make sure all activities are put away, all washing and drying up completed and put away before leaving the room on time.
  • No mobile phones should be used during the session.
  • Mobile phones need to be switched off before entering the room.
  • Hope Contact Centres have a no smoking policy.
  • The health and safety of the children are paramount.

CONTACT SESSION BEHAVIOUR

  • If the supervisor suspects that a child is at risk, then the contact session may be cancelled.
  • No aggressive behaviour towards the children and the staff will be tolerated.
  • In the case of aggression, the contact session would be terminated immediately.
  • If the parents appear to have a weapon on them, the session will not go ahead, the police and social services will be informed of this.
  • If the parents appear to be intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, the session will not go ahead and the social services will be informed.
  • If the supervisor observes conversations, behaviour and/or language not suitable for the child/ren, they will intervene and guide the parent towards appropriate behaviour and it is expected that this advice is taken.
  • Should a parent wish to discuss the issue further with the supervisor, an appointment will be made outside of the contact session as this is the family’s time together. If the advice is not taken and parent’s behaviour is considered inappropriate and is having a negative impact on the child/ren, contact will be terminated.

OUR STAFF & CONTACT SESSIONS

  • No whispering or note passing is allowed and any conversations taking place must be heard by the supervisor. An interpreter can be booked if required.
  • Parents must not ask the children for details of where they are staying.
  • Professionalism will be maintained at all times.
  • If the session is taking place as a supervised session, the notes will be sent to both parties involved.
  • Children are not allowed to be taken outside of the contact centre, unless there is a written agreement by the social worker or the other parties involved.
  • Parents and children will be under close observation whilst the session is taking place.
  • Accurate notes will be taken during the session and these may be used in court as evidence.
  • Parents must be aware that the supervisors are not the carers, they are only there to observe and take notes.
  • Confidentiality will be maintained at all times.

DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS A REFERRAL?

Referrals are made to the centre by social workers, the courts, parents and also family solicitors.
If you would like to discuss a referral or would like more information, please contact us, we are very happy to help.

Contact Us Today