Supervised Family Time Sessions

Supervised contact sessions provide a safe and structured setting for family interactions. They are provided where it is assessed that there might be a higher risk or greater complexities in a family’s circumstance or when a court mandates supervision. These sessions operate in one-to-one settings and are supervised by trained professional staff members who are experienced in this role. The interactions are observed and monitored to ensure that children are kept safe.

Staff ensure the child’s needs are always prioritised and remain within sight and sound of children. During supervised sessions, staff make written observations and provide summary reports for the Family Court, Cafcass, Social Services or legal representatives, depending on the needs of each family.

Sessions can operate throughout the week/weekend depending on the centre and there is usually a charge for supervised contact sessions, with costs varying depending on the location. 

Supported Family Time Sessions

Supported contact sessions offer a less formal approach, whilst still providing a safe and structured environment where children can meet with a non-resident parent or family members. During supported sessions, families can use a child contact centre’s facility with minimal supervision, but staff are still present and available to assist if needed. These centres are usually staffed by trained volunteers who work under the guidance of experienced centre co-ordinators. This type of contact is suitable where there are no significant safety concerns, and the focus is on helping families rebuild relationships and trust in a relaxed setting. 

During supported Family Time sessions, volunteers/staff do not make observations or write reports, and multiple families may use the centre’s facilities simultaneously. 

Supported sessions usually take place on a weekend morning or afternoon, and may be provided free of charge, although some centres can charge a referral and sessional fee.

Stepping Stones

Both Supervised and Supported contact services usually provide short term solutions following family breakdown, serving as a safe steppingstone towards more independent and conflict-free arrangements in the future. However Supervised sessions may extend over longer periods of time depending on the risk. In time, families may progress from Supervised to Supported contact sessions, and during Supported Sessions, centre staff work with families to find more natural arrangements for the long term.

Community Contact Service (CCS)

Community Contact is a service offered by some Supervised Centres, where sessions take place outside the contact centre. Whilst still under supervision of a trained member of staff, CCS can take place in a range of locations such as restaurants, shopping centres, cinemas or soft play centres and in some cases, sessions may take place in family member’s homes, where this is deemed safe and appropriate.

 This type of family time is not available at all centres and is not appropriate for all families and may operate under different names, for example ‘Escorted Family Time.’

Some supported centres may also facilitate contact sessions taking place outside the contact centre in agreed community locations. As part of NACCC’s ongoing accreditation process, ALL accredited centre’s operating CCS services have been risk assessed to ensure the safety of the child always remains paramount.