Children’s Contact Service

OVERVIEW

The Children’s Contact Service(CCS) enables children of separated parents to have safe contact with the parent they do not live with.

A neutral service that is designed to assist families who are concerned about the impact that ongoing arguments and stressful behaviours may be having on their children. CCS provides a safe, secure and child focused environment in which children can continue to have a relationship with a parent or family member they do not live with.

WHAT THIS SERVICE CAN PROVIDE

Supervised visitation between the child/children and the parent they do not live with
Supervised change-over of the child/children between parents, where custody arrangements are shared

Where separated parents are experiencing high levels of conflict, Children’s Contact Service ensures the safe transfer of children from one parent to another and manages supervised visits so that each parent can spend time with their children in a safe and secure environment.

WHO THIS IS TYPICALLY FOR

Families experiencing high conflict separation that is impacting the relationship between parents and the child/children
Families where safety and/or security concerns exist relating to time spent with a child/children

More Information – Supervised Visitation

Our supervised visit service fosters a safe and positive interaction between parents and their children with assisting them to strengthen their relationship. We oversee visitations between a parent and child through the use of our child focused location.

CCS provide professionally trained , friendly and child focus staff (Family Support workers), secure and comfortable centre with toys and games (and access to a contained playground). Family Support workers oversee the activities and communication that takes place and ensure the child can maintain a safe and positive relationship with their parent.

More Information – Supervised Changeover

Sometimes the hand over and hand back (changeover) of children between their parents can be uncomfortable or unsafe. To assist parents who prefer not to meet face to face, CCS has Family Support Workers to facilitate or supervise the changeover. CCS offer separate entrances , separate waiting areas, and separate arrival times.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

All enquiries, registration, and assessment appointments are free of charge.

Fees only apply as below:

Supervised visit session (2 hours)

Supervised Visit (2hrs)

(per parent or as per Court Orders)

Pension/Health Care Card

Employed

$15 per visit

$40 per visit

Supervised changeover

Complete Changeover

(per parent or as per Court Orders)

Pension/Health Care Card

Employed

$10

$20

Observation reports for Court

(per parent or as per Court Orders)
Observation Report	$220 plus GST
Attendance Report	$60-$140

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please raise this at your Intake and Assessment Appointment. Finances should not be a barrier to using our services.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

The Children’s Contact Service (CCS) can offer Supervised Visits and Changeovers for a short period of time, or for as long as needed or required by the Family Court.

The children’s contact service can offer low supervised visits and unsupervised visits in some circumstances. This is where the visits occur at the CCS and the staff are not present in the contact room but nearby in the same building.

Where necessary, the court can direct you to Children’s Contact Service for supervised visits.

FUNDING ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This programme is funded by the Commonwealth Attorney General’s Department.