FAQ's

What to do when I cannot make an arranged visit?

Let the Centre Supervisor know as soon as you can & the other parties involved.

How are visits arranged?

Visits to the centre are only made by prior arrangement, we recommend that you and your child or children come and see the Centre before your first arranged visit, as it will help to ease the process.

Referral can be made by a social worker, solicitor, family mediator, CAFCASS officer or by court order. A referral form has to be completed and sent to the Centre Supervisor. How often you attend the Centre is a matter for you, our Centre currently opens 7 days a week, Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 8.00pm, Sunday 10am to 6.00pm.

Is there anything I need to do?

We ask that you make this a happy time for your children by keeping disagreements out of the Child Contact Centre. We also ask that new partners do not attend the Centre.

Can I avoid meeting my ex-partner when I visit the Centre?

Not if you don't want to. Parents/guardians are responsible for their children at all times unless other arrangements are made while at the Centre, you will have to wait with your child until your ex-partner arrives. The Centre staff can deal with the handover of your child to avoid you meeting your ex-partner.

Does the Centre make any reports about us?

Child Contact Centres are independent of the courts, social services or any statutory agency.

We make notes for supervised contact assessment, apart from the dates and times of attendance; the only exception to this is if we believe that the child is at risk, or if a member of staff, volunteer, or centre user is at risk of harm.

What are the rules?

We will ensure the safety of everyone who use the centre regardless of race, gender or religion, and will insist in consideration being shown for others:

• Parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children at all times while at the Centre. No child may be left without a parent in attendance if prior arrangements are not made.
• You must provide a contact telephone number when leaving children at the Centre.
• A child may only be taken from the Centre during a visit if this is stated on the referral form by the referring agency or with the written consent of both parents.
• Relatives or friends can only attend if they are named on the referral form.
• There must be no disagreement in the presence of any of the children.
• Any visitor that is abusive, aggressive, racist or offensive in any way will be told to leave immediately.

Academy of Little Angels © 2013