A pre-contact Assessment is a thorough evaluation conducted before contact sessions between a child and a non-resident parent. This assessment gathers detailed information about the family’s situation, the child’s needs, and any potential risks involved. It involves discussions with both parents and, if appropriate, the child, to understand their perspectives and concerns. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the most suitable type of contact, identify necessary support, and create a tailored plan that prioritizes the child’s safety and well-being during contact sessions.

A Child Contact Intervention (CCI) is a short-term, supervised contact service designed to support situations where contact between a child and one parent has broken down and additional help is needed to re-establish contact in a safe, supported environment.

CCIs are particularly beneficial in cases of ongoing parental conflict, where contact has ceased and needs to be carefully re-established, or where there are potential risks that require further assessment.

Our CCI service focuses on the child’s needs and perspective, guiding parents on how to approach contact in a way that prioritizes their well-being. This may include preparatory sessions for both the child and the parent before contact takes place.

The court may refer parties to a CCI during private children proceedings. However, individuals can also self-refer, or the contact center may recommend a CCI service in certain cases.

A Contact Pre-Visit Assessment is a mandatory meeting conducted before contact sessions begin to ensure a safe and positive experience for the child. In line with NACCC guidelines, this assessment involves gathering information about the family’s situation, understanding the child’s needs, and discussing any concerns. It helps to assess risks, set expectations, outline the process, and establish ground rules for future contact sessions.

We encourage separated parents to set up a communication app or a dedicated email for sharing information about contact arrangements and schedules. If this is not possible, parents can use their solicitors or other third parties for communication. Alternatively, our Correspondence Service is available to handle contact-related communications on your behalf, including bookings and schedule coordination. This service ensures clear, professional, and neutral communication, reducing conflict and making the contact process smoother and more manageable for all parties involved.

Supervised contact, involves the child and non-resident parent meeting in a secure, controlled environment. A trained supervisor observes the interactions to ensure the child’s safety and well-being throughout the session. This type of contact is typically used when there may be a risk to the child, a need for detailed reports for future contact arrangements, or when it is essential to monitor how the parent meets the child’s needs. Supervisors remain impartial and provide detailed notes if required. Sessions can include structured activities designed to facilitate positive interactions while maintaining a safe space for the child

Escorted Supervised Contact, as outlined by NACCC, involves a trained worker accompanying the child and non-resident parent during outings outside the contact centre. The worker actively supervises the interactions, ensuring the child’s safety and well-being while offering support to both parent and child. This type of contact allows families to engage in everyday activities, like going to the park or visiting a café, in a controlled and safe manner. The supervising worker provides feedback and monitors the visit, facilitating a positive experience and helping to gradually rebuild trust and strengthen the parent-child relationship.

Supported contact is suitable for families where no significant risk to the child has been identified, but parents may prefer not to see each other or have difficulty agreeing on other arrangements. It provides a neutral, child-friendly environment with trained staff who are available to offer light support, though they do not actively monitor or take notes on the interactions. Supported contact centers typically have multiple families using the facility at once, so staff may not always be in sight or sound of the children. The goal is to help build confidence between the child and parent and to facilitate the progression to more independent arrangements​

Escorted Supported Contact, in accordance with NACCC guidelines, involves a trained worker accompanying the child and non-resident parent during outings in the community. Unlike supervised contact, the worker’s role here is more observational, providing light support and guidance while allowing the parent and child to interact naturally. The worker ensures the child feels safe and comfortable, helps facilitate positive interactions, and is available to step in if needed. This setting allows families to build relationships in everyday environments, promoting a relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

A Contact Review is a structured meeting to assess how contact sessions between a child and a parent are progressing. It focuses on the child’s well-being, reviewing the quality of interactions, and addressing any concerns raised by parents or staff. The review helps identify what is working well and any areas that may need improvement to ensure the contact remains safe and positive for the child. Based on the review, recommendtions can be made on whether to continue, adapt, or end the current contact arrangements, always prioritizing the child’s best interests.

Handover contact, as outlined by NACCC, is a service used when direct interaction between parents is not desired or possible. It provides a neutral space for one parent to drop off the child, and for the other parent to collect them, ensuring they do not have to meet face-to-face. Handover contact is appropriate when unsupervised contact is suitable for the child, but logistics or high-conflict situations make direct exchanges difficult. No observations or written reports are made during these exchanges, allowing the focus to remain solely on facilitating a smooth and stress-free transfer for the child. 

Handover services typically operate at set times, with staggered arrival and departure times to avoid contact between the parents. This arrangement helps reduce conflict and makes the experience as comfortable as possible for the child