Child-Supervised Contact
WHAT IS SUPERVISED CONTACT?
Supervised contact refers to the contact between a non-residential parent or guardian and their minor child/ren and is observed by a trained and qualified professional. The process creates the opportunity for them to interact in a safe, controlled and neutral environment where a neutral and objective social worker is present for the duration of the contact between them. It ensures the safety and security of all those parties involved.
When the relationship of parents breaks down, it is not only the adults who suffer. Children generally love and need both their parents and the effect of divorce or other separation can be seriously detrimental to the welfare of the children of the family. Wherever possible, unless the absent parent is deemed unsuitable, the child/ren should have the opportunity to remain in contact with him/her. In some cases, unrestricted contact is not feasible but, nonetheless, with supervised contact, a link with the absent parent can be maintained. Maintaining contact can be a difficult and sensitive matter but Partners on Panorama specialises in managing difficult situations revolving around issues of contact in a supervised setting between the absent parent(s) and the child.
Supervised contacts can take place at the residence of the non-custodial parent or any other location all parties agree to, or can take place at the practice of Partners on Panorama -which is equipped with an inside and outside play area. The use of approved child-friendly off-sight venues can also be considered.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF SUPERVISED CONTACT?
The supervised contact process aims to support the emotional, psychological and social development of children and young people by providing them with safe and beneficial contact with their parents, siblings and other family members from whom they are separated due to care proceedings or serious breakdown in parents relationships, or by retracting unsafe and damaging contact. In supervised contact, the supervisor plays a role in guiding parents to improve the quality of interactions and parenting.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF SUPERVISED CONTACTS
Handover, exchange or transition contacts.
The supervising social worker assists the parents when the child is moved from one parent to the other parent.
Constant or low vigilance supervised contact.
The supervising social worker is within sight and hearing distance of the child and the parent but allow them sufficient privacy to interact and spend quality time together.
Evaluative supervised contact.
A court can order for the supervised contacts to be evaluated. This includes for the supervising social worker to draw conclusions and/or to make recommendations about future contact arrangements or child custody determinations.
Therapeutic supervised contact.
The supervising social worker provides therapeutic services to assist parents to strengthen or repair their relationship with their children.
High vigilance supervised contact.
A close observation of all conversations and interactions between the parent and the child. The supervising social worker can intervene to stop the contact or to support the child, if necessary.
PROCESS FOLLOWED:
- 1x Individual session with each parent to obtain a brief history and information on critical issues.
- Age-appropriate orientation interview with the minor child/children to prepare them for the supervised contacts.
- Scheduled supervised contact sessions
- Feedback session with both parents (and legal representatives/mediator)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- Both parents will be requested to sign an appointment letter regarding the condition of service delivery before the commencement of the assessment thus providing mutual consent to the assessment of their child.
- The designated social worker’s mandate is restricted to the supervised contact and will not be involved in other disputes.