Separation & Divorce
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Contact Centre
When parents are no longer able to
communicate, child contact centres and services provide a neutral
place for children to meet the Mum or Dad who no longer live at
home with them.
The centres are equipped with your child in mind, providing toys,
games and facilities that reflect the diverse needs of children
affected by family breakdown.
Supervised contact is used when it has been determined that a
child has suffered or is at risk of suffering harm during contact.
Supported contact, on the other hand, can take 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. However, it is more
common for the appropriate Contact Centres to be used. They are
suitable for families and friends where no significant risk to the
child or those around the child have been identified.
Basic elements are...
- Impartiality
- Staff and volunteers are available for assistance but there is no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual contacts or conversation.
- Several families are usually together in one or a number of rooms.
- Encouragement for families to develop mutual trust.
- No detailed reports made unless risk of harm.
From a Dad ...
"I was shown into the hall. Suddenly the
boys came running to me, their arms open, both shouting Daddy,
Daddy, Daddy! Big hugs from each one. It was like a rugby scrum
only for once I was crying. They had not forgotten me."
Almost all Contact Centres are affiliated to
the National Association of Child Contact Centres. Staff are
all trained volunteers.
From a Child ...
"When Mum and Dad split up I was glad.
The rowing stopped and Mum did not cry anymore. After a while
though I began to miss my Dad. When I asked my Mum she said it was
best that I did not see him, as she didn't want him coming to the
house. Dad must have missed me too because he went to a Solicitor
who arranged for us to meet at a Child Contact Centre. We have been
meeting there for about six months and I always look forward to
Saturday afternoons."
You can be referred to the Child Contact Centre
either by the Jersey Children's Service, Guernsey Health and Social
Services, Mediation or by the Courts. Please contact us if you
require any help with this or need details of your local
centre.
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Separation & Divorce
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