There’s a lot of uncertainty among separated parents regarding contact with their children. Here are some commonly asked questions
1, Who can make a referral to your contact center?
We accept referrals for supported contact from virtually anywhere, including:
solicitors practicing family law
Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)
Mediation Services
McKenzies Friends
Local Authority Children’s Departments
Direct self-referrals from parents
2. How can someone make a referral to use your service?
We’ve tried to make our referral process as easy as possible. Editable forms are available online via the referrals page of our website.
3. Do you facilitate contact for many looked after children?
Yes. We have facilitated supported contact for ‘looked after’ children. But in the main children in care often need supervised contact.
4. Do people have to live in the West Midlands to use your center?
No. We have had many parents commute to us each week from London and beyond. The furthest I can recall was Glasgow.
5. Can families come and look around the center before contact sessions begin?
Yes. We are happy to show people around our center. This can be during Saturday afternoons 2.00pm – 4.00pm when we are open. Or at other times subject to availability of staff and the non-use of the premises.
If we receive a referral we try to make it a precondition that they pay us a visit before contact begins. Although this can be difficult if there’s a sense of urgency or would entail a long journey.
6. How much does it cost to use the center?
We charge a small admin fee and competitive fees for the services we offer. We are a Social Enterprise and survive by grants and our own money raising initiatives. Prices will be given on request
7. How long does each contact session last for?
Sessions last for up to two hours in a room with parents and a child, a contact supervisor being present if the contact is supervised.
8. On average, how many supported contacts do families have?
We see ourselves as a ‘short-term stepping stone’ to enable parents to re-build trust. On average we try to limit them . Sometimes this is difficult, particularly if contact is arranged through the courts, or is meaningful and beneficial to the child.
9. What age group of children do you cater for?
We cater for all children aged from birth to 18.
10. Do you provide toys or games for children to use?
We have a lot of age appropriate games, but generally like to have games and pastimes whereby the child can interact with the parent. This is preferable to electronic games or play stations.
11. What do the staff at your center do?
The volunteers have various roles at the contact center. These include Meeting and greeting and recording times of arrival and departure. Staff generally offer support, particularly if a child is finding contact difficult.
12. What kind of training do your volunteers undertake?
We a have a rolling program of training. Training can be face to face, by Power Point presentation, or by workbooks. The subjects covered are:
Safeguarding training
Induction training for new volunteers
Family breakdown
Health and safety risk assessment
Encouraging positive contact – Working with dads
Conflict management
Domestic abuse
Understanding substance misuse – impact on families
Managing reluctant family members
Family risk assessment