The Importance of Contact Centres

Recent news that another Supported Child Contact Centre is closing its doors should give us all cause for concern.

When parents separate, the relationships between adults can be difficult and the months following a separation can be enormously painful. However, in most cases the children want to see their parents and maintain as good a relationship as possible. Contact between children and the parent with whom they do not live is an important part of providing for their best interests.

For many separating couples this can be achieved through careful discussion and planning, without the need for assistance from anyone else. However, for some families, it is impossible to make suitable arrangements and sometimes impossible to find a safe place where contact between the children and a parent can take place.

In these circumstances, Contact Centres become a vital part of our Family Justice system and sometimes provide the only possibility for children to spend time with the parent with whom they don’t live. According to NACCC (National Association for Child Contact Centres) more than a million children have no contact with one or the other parent after separation and this can lead to or worsen behavioural difficulties as children come to terms with the effects of their parents’ separation. Contact Centres aim to rectify this problem by providing a safe and neutral place for children to meet their parent and for that parent to actually be a parent.

Contact Centres are equipped with children in mind, providing toys, games and facilities to meet the needs of the wide range of children that may use the service. They can also provide a venue for parents to meet to hand over their children for a period of time with the other parent. Centres offer a short term measure so that children can look to rebuild and develop their relationship and communication with their parent and plan how to move forward so that contact can continue in the longer term away from the centre and by agreement.

If you require any assistance in making arrangements for your children, please contact one of our experienced family solicitors who will be happy to discuss the options with you and can help with a referral to a contact centre if that is appropriate.

For more information about Child Contact Centres go to www.naccc.org.uk.