Voice of the Child Contact Centre - FAQs
General Information
A child contact centre is a safe, neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with their non-resident parent or other family members.
Costs can vary depending on the type of contact service. Please contact us to discuss your specific situation, and we will provide details on any fees involved.
Currently, Voice of the Child Contact Centre does not have specific funding to support families directly. Therefore, our services are self-funded unless the referral is made by social services, in which case the costs might be covered by them. We recommend discussing your situation with your solicitor or your local council to explore any available options
No, you do not have to meet your ex-partner if you prefer not to. We can arrange staggered arrival times and separate waiting areas.
The type of contact is often determined through discussions between parents, legal advisors, or by a court order. Our role is to support the agreed arrangement in a safe environment.
For Resident Parents
Yes, all our staff, volunteers, and trustees must undergo an enhanced DBS check before they start working at the contact centre to ensure the safety of all children and families using our services.
Yes, our team members receive training and are required to meet specific standards to provide quality services in a safe, supportive environment.
Our staff are trained to be neutral and unbiased. They focus on providing a safe space for your child to have contact with the other parent without taking sides.
The specifics of participation in contact sessions vary depending on individual circumstances and the type of contact agreed upon. Please discuss this with the centre in advance.
Yes, your child can bring a toy or personal item to help them feel more comfortable during the contact session.
No, you can use the contact centre without a court order. Self-referrals are also possible; however, we recommend speaking with our team to understand the process.
Supported contact session do not typically provide reports for courts. However, if you require supervised contact, please let us know as reporting requirements may vary.
Visits are arranged based on a referral process. Once we receive a referral, we will schedule a pre-visit appointment to discuss your child’s needs and how we can support the contact.
It helps to speak positively about the visit, explaining that the contact centre is a place where they can spend time with the other parent. Reassure them that they will be safe and that staff are there to help.
For Non-Resident Parents
Yes, self-referrals are accepted. Please contact us directly to discuss your situation, and we will guide you through the referral process.
Yes, bringing gifts or snacks can be part of the contact session. However, it’s best to keep gifting to the minimum and check with us first to understand any guidelines or restrictions.
Yes, we follow court orders related to contact arrangements. If there are any specific instructions, please provide these details during the referral process.
Our centre is accredited and regularly reviewed to ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and quality. We have policies in place to create a secure environment for all families.
We understand that direct contact between parents can sometimes be challenging. Our centre offers arrangements to prevent parents from meeting, such as staggered arrival times and separate waiting areas.
Yes, we encourage parents to bring a range of toys and activities which their child/ren may enjoy.
For Children
Yes, you can bring a favourite toy to make you feel more comfortable during the visit.
In some cases, contact can move to locations outside the centre when the time is right. This decision is usually made after discussions between both parents, staff, and sometimes with the help of a court order.
Your feelings are very important to us. We will listen to how you feel and try to make sure you feel safe. If you have concerns, please talk to the staff at the centre.
It’s okay if you feel like you need to leave early. Our staff will talk to you and make sure you’re comfortable with what’s happening. We will not force you to stay if you don’t want to.
Yes, the staff are here to listen and support you. You can always talk to them if you feel worried, sad, or if there’s something you don’t like during your time at the centre.
We understand that sometimes you might want to spend time with your parent outside the centre. This is something that can be discussed between your parents, and sometimes with help from the court, to see if it’s possible.
Additional FAQs for Resident and Non-Resident Parents
The well-being of your child is our top priority. If your child becomes distressed, our staff will gently intervene and support your child. We will then discuss the situation with you to decide on the best way to proceed.
Yes, the centre can facilitate contact with other family members, such as grandparents or siblings, if agreed upon by both parents and/or arranged through a court order. Please inform us in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements.
Session length can vary depending on the arrangement and the needs of the family. Typically, sessions last between one to two hours, but this can be adjusted based on what works best for your child.
Please bring any relevant documents, such as court orders, referral forms, or identification, to your pre-visit appointment. It is also helpful to bring any information about your child’s needs that you feel we should know about.
Also, please come prepared to give us an indication of your availability and flexibility to match the court order, contact arrangement and centre availability as this will ensure you book sessions well ahead of time and enable us plan to effectively support you.
We encourage you to come prepared to secure proposed contact slots offered during the pre-visit session.
Yes, we understand that circumstances may change. Please notify us as soon as possible if you need to reschedule a session. We will do our best to accommodate changes based on availability. However, there is a five day cancellation policy beyond which the cost of scheduled contact is non-refundable.
If your ex-partner does not attend a scheduled session, we will document the situation and inform you. We can then discuss next steps and how to proceed moving forward.
Additional FAQs for Professionals
Referrals can be made by completing our referral form, which is available on our website or by contacting us directly. We accept referrals from social services, solicitors, courts and other agencies. Please provide all relevant details to help us understand the needs of the family.
For families with a history of domestic abuse, we offer supervised contact services in a safe, controlled environment. Our staff are trained to support children who may be feeling anxious or upset due to past experiences, and we tailor our services to ensure their emotional and physical safety.
Additional FAQs for Volunteers and Staff
Yes, all volunteers and staff receive comprehensive training, including safeguarding, child development, and working with families in conflict. We also provide ongoing support and opportunities for further training as needed.
We are flexible with volunteering schedules. Typically, we ask volunteers to commit to a few hours on weekends or weekdays when contact sessions take place for a minimum of six months. You can discuss your availability with us during the application process.
These additions aim to provide more detailed support and guidance for everyone involved with the contact centre. Feel free to modify them as needed!