As the resident care giver...

The contact centre is there to provide a place where your child can meet the person wanting contact.

Why do contact centres exist?

Most people who use contact centres do so because there are irrevocable differences between the two parties (the person seeking contact and the person who has residency of the child).

This can make all involved feel uneasy and upset.

The contact centre tries to provide a relaxed atmosphere in which both the adult and the child feel comfortable.

 It is also there to make the resident care giver feel comfortable and happy with leaving the child.

In the centre, there are a wide variety of toys, books and games catering to different age groups.

You are very welcome to bring in your own toys but you are responsible for them.

The centre can also provide juice for children as well as tea or coffee for adults.

Again, you are very welcome to bring your own.

We would be grateful if you, or whoever brings the child, would inform a volunteer if you have left food for the child.

Safe and secure.

The contact centre is located within a centre that has a number of other activities on at the same time.

There is a door entry system to the contact room.

Admission is only to contact centre users and volunteers.

The volunteers also make sure that those parties who do not wish to meet do not.

There are separate facilities for resident care givers who wish to remain on the the premise during the contact visit.

Other contact centre users.

There are two rooms within the contact centre.

One is a large play area and the other is a smaller room with sofas.

There will be more than one family in the contact centre per session.

This is not a hindrance to good contact.

It can actually be beneficial for your child as other children in a similar situation and of a similar age surround them.

Don't feel threatened by the volunteers, they don't bite!

Although there are volunteers in the room at all times, they are not there to supervise your visit.

Nor are they there to pass judgement.

They will note the time you arrived and left the contact centre.

They will also make a note if you phone for any reason relating to visits (e.g. should you be delayed for any reason or should not be able to attend due to ill health).

This record of attendance is the only information we can give for court hearings. They will not make any reports, verbal or written, about the contact.

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