Just because there are arrangements or orders for your child to spend time with both parents, it doesn’t mean that facilitating those arrangements will be easy. Parents are not always on good terms after separation, and sharing the children with each other can be difficult. There may also be other circumstances, such as domestic violence or concerns for safety which require the involvement of a third party to assist with contact. Supervised contact allows for this potential conflict to be minimised.
Who Can Supervise?
A contact visit can be supervised by an independent person, or it can be facilitated by a contact service organisation. The role of this person or organisation is to ensure that the child is in a safe environment during contact.
What is a Contact Service?
Contact services are independent third party organisations that can provide the supervision of contact between a child and a relevant party, such as a parent. Examples of these services include CatholicCare, Central West Contact Service, and Relationships Australia. They are able to monitor the safety and interactions of children with their parent so that the parent can spend meaningful time with the child. These services are also able to serve as a place of changeover between one parent and the other.
Do I need a Supervised Contact Service?
Supervised contact might be necessary if you have safety concerns about the other party, or if there is the potential for conflict when the other party spends time with the child. You might also consider a supervised contact service if you need a neutral place for changeover.
If you require assistance with outlining supervised contact, contact us at Reid Legal on 1300 33 7343 (1300 33 REID) or 0455 33 7343 (0455 33 REID).