Middleton Child Contact Centre
 POLICY NOTICE
Observation of Contact
 


One of the stated aims of Contact Centres is to provide
a friendly and welcoming place on ‘neutral ground’,
where children can meet parents with whom they no longer live,
and avoid any tensions attached to home visits, or other ‘official places’.

The Centre can not accommodate "Supervised contact" in the legal sense of the term, nor is it our policy to allow observation of contact
on a regular basis.

For us to maintain the trust of parents, and for the contact to work it is essential that the Centre’s neutrality be maintained.
 


We wish to work with and cooperate with the Courts, CAFCASS and Solicitors, etc., where possible, and we recognize that on occasion it is necessary for an assessment to be made of how contact is going. In special circumstances, i.e.:- not on a regular basis, we are prepared to allow CAFCASS Officers to observe contact, provided the following procedures are followed:
 


1. The family concerned are aware that observation is taking place, and consent to it.

2. The visiting Officer attends the Centre in casual clothing, and poses as a volunteer worker.
They will be assigned a role and position from which discreet observation can be made.

3. If files, or papers are necessary these should be brought in a bag other than a briefcase,
e.g. a carrier bag or holdall, to avoid officiality.

4. The visiting Officer shall arrive at the Centre at an agreed time or before opening.

5. If it is necessary to speak with the family concerned this should be advised to the Centre Coordinator who will make a side room available. Discussions in the main contact area
are extremely disruptive, and will not be allowed.

6. The Centre Coordinator reserves the right to terminate the visit if in their opinion
the contact of other families is being disrupted by the visit.

 

We are sensitive to the environment that we provide for all who use the Centre and as such we advise all parents when Court Welfare Officers are visiting one of the families, to maintain their trust. However, this still puts families on edge and influences contact which is why we require the visiting Officer to abide by our procedures, and to be discreet during their visit.

Our independence and neutrality are essential to the service which we provide.

We are sure that you will agree with this aim, and share our concerns for maintaining the best possible environment for contact to take place. If you are unable to abide by these guidelines
visits to the Centre will not be Allowed.
 

Thank you for your understanding.

Middleton Child Contact Centre