Definitions of Levels of Contact
Introduction
There can often be confusion about what type of contact different Child
Contact Centres provide. This confusion has, in the past, and continues
to result in, a large number of inappropriate referrals to some Child
Contact Centres.
The Child Contact Centre Working Group has prepared the definitions of
supported and supervised contact that follow. It is hoped that they will
help to reduce the confusion and number of inappropriate referrals to
Child Contact Centres.
Supported Child Contact
Supported contact takes place in a variety of neutral community venues
where there are facilities to enable children to develop and maintain
positive relationships with non-resident parents and other family members.
Supported Child Contact Centres are suitable for families when no significant
risk to the child or those around the child has been identified.
The basic elements of supported contact are:
• Staff do not take sides.
• Staff and volunteers are available for assistance but there is
no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual contacts/conversations.
• Several families are usually together in one or a number of rooms.
• Encouragement for families to develop mutual trust and consider
more satisfactory family venues.
• Apart from attendance dates and times, no detailed report will
be made to a referrer, CAFCASS, a party’s solicitor or court, unless
there is a risk of harm to the child, parent or Centre worker.
• An acknowledgement that it be viewed as a temporary arrangement
to be reviewed after an agreed period of time.
Supervised Child Contact
A Supervised Child Contact Centre should be used when it has been determined
that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering harm during contact.
Referrals will usually be made by a court, CAFCASS officer, local authority
or another Child Contact Centre, but in exceptional circumstances a Child
Contact Centre may accept a self-referral. Supervised contact ensures
the physical safety and emotional well being of a child. It also assists
in building and sustaining positive relationships between a child and
members of their non-resident family. This requires supervisors who are
skilled and confident enough to intervene immediately and firmly if necessary
and can work professionally in a planned way with vulnerable children
and highly distressed adults.
Supervised contact requires:
• Individual supervision of contact with the supervisor in constant
sight and sound of the child, which in turn requires that they have the
support of a nearby colleague.
• A high commitment of resources including continuity of supervision
and the professional oversight of staff.
• The supervisor and the Centre having access to all relevant court
papers and transcripts of any judgments in order to supervise effectively.
The party making the referral ensuring that the court gives permission
for such disclosure.
• All contact to be closely observed and recorded in a manner appropriate
to the purpose of protecting children and working in a planned way with
parents.
• A venue that provides privacy and confidentiality to each child
and family and is structured to provide maximum safety to all concerned
and maximum stimulation for children.
• Contact is time limited with a planned aim to regularly assess
and review progress and the possibility of safer future outcomes.
The level of supervision may be reduced in a planned way after a professional
assessment has been made. Some families, after being assessed, may move
from constant supervision to an intermediate level of supervision, escorted
outings, or supported or unrestricted contact, while others will always
need the security of full supervision.
Supervised contact is provided by a variety of agencies, both in the voluntary
sector and by local authorities. Facilities will therefore vary, and different
models will be offered.
Supported or Supervised?
The needs of families can differ widely and there will be some contact
situations that require less intensive supervision than indicated in the
definition of supervised contact, but more oversight or assistance than
would be offered through supported contact. For example this might apply
to cases where there is a history of conflict, poor parenting, a low risk
of violence, a manageable substance problem or need for re-introduction
to parents/siblings. Subject to completion of a referral form, risk assessment
and management planning, the family will be referred on to the most suitable
venue for the level of service needed.
Children First does NOT discriminate between parents on the basis of gender
and recognises that there are many cultural and ethnic differences between
families. We endeavour to be culturally sensitive and try hard to provide
staff and volunteers representative of the linguistic needs, racial and
cultural backgrounds of most families using the Centre.
Indirect Contact
Indirect Contact is not available in Supported Child Contact Centres.
This form of contact is often used to re-introduce a child / children
to a non-resident parent when they have not seen them for a long period
of time or there are concerns about domestic violence or child abuse.
It involves:
• The non-resident parent having no face-to-face contact with their
child/children.
• A third party such as a solicitor, CAFCASS officer or Social Worker
receiving letters and gifts from the non-resident parent which they then
pass on to the child / children.
Handovers
Handovers can take place at the majority of Child Contact Centre and are
set up through the normal referral process. Parents do not have to meet,
as the handover will be done by Child Contact Centre staff or volunteers.
The non-resident parent will then take the child out of the Centre for
the duration of the visit, bringing them back to the Centre afterwards.
It may be possible for the child to be picked up from one Child Contact
Centre in the morning and then taken back to another Child Contact Centre
in the afternoon if they are in the same area or at another mutually agreed
venue.
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