Since inception, the Trust has worked together with local authorities, the legal profession, the Court and CAFCASS to deliver high quality contact services for children and families who need support and/or facilitation when meeting.
The Trust opened its first Contact Centre during 2003, with the organisation being the first in Kent to be accredited by NACCC. The Trust’s Contact Centres operate within the underpinning principles of the Children Act (1989), with all supervised contact reports written in line within the assessment framework.
Contact supervisors are also able to work with families in the community at local authority venues and during activity based programmes.
All the Trust’s contact supervisors have up to date enhanced CRB checks and undertake annual child protection, report writing and first aid training as core requirements. As each contact supervisor’s individual training requirements are made known, further training is undertaken as appropriate.
All contact supervisors have access to the Practice Manager to discuss any issues that have been evident during contact.
SUPERVISED CONTACT
Supervised contact is requested when one or more people consider a child would benefit from independent observation whilst having contact with a family member or other significant people in the child’s life. Referrals will usually be made from the Court, CAFCASS, local authorities, or the parents’ solicitors.
Supervised contact promotes the physical safety and emotional well-being of each child during contact sessions. Supervisors are skilled and confident at intervening immediately and firmly to protect the welfare of a child, whilst working unobtrusively with vulnerable children and adults.
The basic elements of supervised contact are:
- individual supervision of contact with the supervisor in constant sight of the child, which in turn requires that they have the support of a nearby colleague;
- a commitment to Quality Assurance including continuity of supervisor and professional oversight of all staff;
- the supervisor and the Contact Centre having access to all relevant court papers and transcripts of any judgments in order to supervise effectively. The agency making the referral should ensure that the Court gives permission for such disclosure;
- close observation of all contact and a written record produced. All staff are aware of the paramount importance of protecting children and working together with parents;
- a neutral and safe venue that provides privacy for each child and family; and
- time-limited contact, with regular reviews.
The level of supervision may be reduced after initial contact sessions have taken place. Some families may move from constant supervision to an intermediate level of supervision, escorted outings, supported or unrestricted contact, while others may always need the support afforded by full supervision. Any changes to the contact requirements will need to be agreed in the first instance by the commissioning agency.
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SUPPORTED CONTACT
Supported contact takes place to enable children to develop and maintain positive relationships with non-resident parents and other family members. Supported contact is suitable for families where there is no identified risk to the child or those having contact with the child.
The basic elements of supported contact are:
- Impartial staff available to assist, but no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual interaction;
- Non-exclusive facilities - several families are usually together in one room, such as a Community Centre;
- Encouragement for families to develop mutual trust and consider more satisfactory family venues for future contact; and
- With the exception of attendance dates and times, no detailed report is made to a referrer, CAFCASS, a party’s solicitor or the Court, unless a risk of harm to the child, parent or centre worker becomes apparent.
CLICK HERE FOR THE CONTACT REFERRAL SUB PAGE
Additional Services:
Client Transport. Service Users can also be supported when attending appointments with the Trust, as we have a new and comfortable company vehicle, which is a large eight seater MPV. This will ensure all clients, including those with disabilities, can be transported safely and with dignity, whilst maintaining confidentiality, as the vehicle does not have signage and is fitted with privacy glass to the rear windows. Please contact the Trust if you wish to commission the use of this service, as we also offer escorts for vulnerable children and their families, if required.
The Trust can provide either a DVD or Video recording of goodbye visits (prices on request).
