Supported Family Contact

(a Family Mediation service)

Our Contact Centres help children keep in touch with parents, grandparents or other family members they might not otherwise see. The Centres put children first and seek to protect them from conflict. There are separate waiting areas for parents or other who do not want to meet.

We have centres in Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso and Eyemouth which are open on Saturdays.  The centres provide a safe, neutral venue where families can relax and enjoy themselves. Friendly, helpful and experienced staff help and encourage people to feel at ease, and if necessary, will take children from one parent to the other.

Supported Family Contact can only be accessed via a Separation Advice & Support Meeting.

What we provide

• A neutral venue where the interests of the child come first.
• A warm and friendly atmosphere with experienced, helpful staff.
• Separate waiting areas can be arranged so that former partners do not have to meet if they do not wish to.
• Toys, games, books and other activities are provided.
• Refreshments for families are available but families may bring their own, if they prefer.

What we don’t provide

• Contact Centre staff make no reports to solicitors, sheriffs or social work departments about visits (apart from the dates families used the Centre and arrival and departure times).
• Items such as nappies and babies milk.

Rules of the Centre

• Parents/grandparents are responsible for their children while at the Centre and one or other parent/grandparent must be with a child at all times.
• No alcohol or drugs will be allowed on the premises and staff will refuse entry to anyone they suspect to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• Smoking is not allowed in the Centre.
• Abusive or aggressive behaviour will result in contact being curtailed.
• Photographs may be taken during contact provided no other Centre users are included and permission is sought from the duty CCO.  Staff will not take photographs of any parent or child.
• No one other that those named on the Arrangements Schedule will be permitted entry to the Centre.
• No child may leave the Centre with the visiting parent/grandparent unless permission for this is given on the Arrangements Schedule or by court order or the resident parent subsequently gives written permission.
• Mobile phones and any payphones in a Contact Centre may not be used during the contact period by the person having contact.
• Video equipment will not be permitted, even if both parents agree, because it could pick up the sound and sight of other families in the background.
• Computer equipment or recording equipment of any kind is not allowed in any Centre.
• Parents/grandparents should contact the Contact Centre Organiser if they cannot attend.