A Stepping Stone
We are not a long-term solution but a way to help families maintain relationships in times of difficulty and transition. The usual time frame is no more than 3 to 6 months.
We review the contact that has taken place on a monthly basis. We are not there to tell you how to parent, but we will give some informal support and assistance if asked or required.
Impartial
We are an impartial service and do not take sides or have any views or opinions on either side, our focus is solely on the child’s needs.
Help
We know that it often feels as if the system is unfair or unjust and we understand the frustration often felt, we will encourage users of our service to keep feelings and frustrations separate from the time spent with the child and just make contact as pleasurable as possible.
Safeguarding
This is a rare occurrence.
Should there be an issue or concern we would act purely in the child’s best interest, we have a clear duty to report concerns to the relevant authorities. We could not support contact that we would consider to be in any way harmful to a child.
After Relationships End
It is not divorce or separation that causes children harm but the conflict between parents afterwards that they experience. When relationships break down or end children suffer uncertainty and feel that they have to take sides.
Research shows that children adjust and cope with parental difficulties far better if contact is maintained with less impact on the emotional wellbeing of all concerned.
We allow contact to happen, we can make sure children and parents see each other in a safe, secure and stress-free environment until contact can be moved forward. Our workers will be there the whole time and ensure contact is as positive and as safe as possible.
