ASSOCIATION OF Page 15 CARDS NACCC CHRISTMAS Page 14 CHILDREN STILLFIRST Page 6 VIEW FROMTHEFIELD Page 4 IRELAND NETWORK LAUNCH OFNORTHERN CHILD THE NATIONAL MAGAZINE OF THE IN-HOUSE CENTRES MATTERS STILL MATTER CHILDREN STILL MATTER CHILDREN NACCC 2005AGMandConference NACCC 2005AGMandConference Page 8–11 Page 8–11

Autumn ISSUE•2005 NACCC Chief Executive Supervised Child Contact Centres

Following the resignation of NACCC's Chief Executive, Beverley J Brooks MBE, NACCC is in the Conference process of recruiting a new Chief Executive, with NACCC, in conjunction with the Child Contact Centre interviews being held in October. Implementation Group, is holding a conference to firstly share, develop and evaluate good practice and secondly to ensure that Supervised Contact is being NACCC Chair organised and run both consistently and safely. To be held at: The Trinity Centre, Church Hill, Sutton With regret, Pauline Bond has stepped down from Coldfield, Birmingham on Tuesday 8 November 2005 the position of Chair, due to personal – 10 am to 4.30 pm. This conference is being circumstances. At the September Board meeting sponsored by the DfES. Full NACCC members will not Fiona McGill was appointed Chair of NACCC, and be charged to attend. Buffet lunch will be provided. Pauline will continue as Vice-Chair for the coming year. There will be a speaker at the beginning of the day and time for questions at the end, but the bulk of the time will be made up of a series of workshops rate focussing upon: • Premises increases again • Funding • Staffing/training The number of couples getting divorced increased • Referral forms last year to the highest level since 1996 and the • Risk Assessments fourth successive annual increase. The number of • Contact Agreements in the UK rose by 0.2% to 167,116 • Recording Procedures, to include assessments and according to the Office of National Statistics. reports • Information for referrers and users • In 2004 there were 14 divorcing people per • Evaluation of service delivery 1,000 married ones • In 2004 69% of divorces were to couples where An existing Service Provider will facilitate each both parties were in their first marriage, while workshop. Delegates will be given the opportunity to 10% were between couples who had previously contribute from their own knowledge and been divorced. experience. It will be an opportunity for everyone • Men and women aged 25-29 had the highest participating in the workshop to share, listen and divorce rates. learn. • The average age for divorce increased to 42.7 years for men and to 40.2 for women. At the end of the conference each workshop leader • The average marriage also increased from 11.3 will be asked to provide a summary of what the to 11.5 years. group consider to be best practice drawn from the • 69% of divorces were granted to the wife. The input of delegates throughout the day. The material most frequent fact on which divorce was will then be used to help to move towards best granted to a woman was the husbands practice and minimum standards for Supervised Child behaviour, while for a man it was separation for Contact Centres. two years with consent. • More than half the couples getting divorced in There will also be an opportunity for delegates to 2004 had at least one child under 16 years old. develop and become involved in one or more • 149,275 children aged under 16 were in families regionally based support networks. where the divorced, with 23% aged under 5 years and 64% aged under 11 years. All NACCC Supervised Contact service providers will be sent an invitation to this conference shortly. (Information supplied by the Office of National Please note we are only able accommodate two Statistics) delegates per centre.

2 MATTERS Launch of Northern Ireland Network of Child Contact Centres

Over the past four years, the disputes and the balancing of operational Child Contact Centres human rights in recent years” as in Northern Ireland have met they “operate at grassroots level together, initially as a forum for providing a vital practical service sharing practice issues and to ensure that justice is given an supporting each other. opportunity to flower”. Judge Recognising the need for an Gillian also expressed his concern From left to right, Child Contact Centre organisation to provide a voice in at the small number of centres Coordinators: Myra, Central Belfast; Ilene, order to participate fully in the operating in Northern Ireland and Cookstown; Judy, NACCC; Anne, Cloona; debate about Contact services in his hope that contact centres Elizabeth, Foyle and Muriel, Knock. Northern Ireland, the Network would be given a higher profile was formed and a constitution both economically and physically Judy Birchall then provided a and framework was developed. and asked the government to face national perspective on Child up to the challenge. Contact Centres explaining The Northern Ireland Network of NACCC’s role in support, training Child Contact Centres (NINCCC) Professor Monica McWilliams was officially launched on 12 May and accreditation and quoted spoke about “Making Contact 2005 at the Island Civic Centre in figures based on average statistics Lisburn. Safe – some lessons from received by NACCC from their research”. She reminded member Centres for 2003/4, that attendees of the effects of About 150 delegates / guests 154,056 hours were freely given attended the event, NINCCC was not only on adults but also on children and by 5,502 Volunteers. If the delighted by this response, minimum wage of £4.50 – £4.85 particularly by the delegates from the importance of this being Eire – one group were already taken seriously and appropriate (21 years) was paid, this would organising a CCC on an informal measures being put in place to require £693,252 per annum rising basis, others wanted to set up a ensure the safety of the child/ren to £747,142 p.a. in wages alone. service. and resident parents. She At an average Social Work emphasised the need to ensure Assistant rate of £10 per hour, this The speakers were not only that families who have would represent £1,777,190 p.a. in interesting but also engaged in a experienced domestic violence are wages alone. philosophical debate around issues provided with the most relating to Human Rights, appropriate support and venue, All of the speakers recognised the Domestic Violence, and Child whether this is supervised by social Safety within the context of workers or supported in a child need for funding to be made contact. contact centre. (Northern Ireland available for these services to has no supervised centres and no continue and to expand so that One of the key advantages of the CAFCASS). Professor McWilliams there are Child Contact Centres day was the networking that closed by encouraging those available to all children who need occurred on all levels. involved in child contact centre them throughout Northern work to hold on to the hope that Ireland. The launch was chaired by Lady by putting “good contact” in Eames and the speakers were The place, we are helping to create In June 2005 NINCCC evaluated Hon Mr Justice Gillen, Judge of healthy family relationships. the Family Division of the the event and recognised that as a Supreme Court of Northern Muriel Orr, Chair of NINCCC, gave voluntary group with no core- Ireland, Professor Monica an overview of the work and funded or paid worker NINCCC McWilliams, University of Ulster, development of child contact had held a very successful launch. Muriel Orr, Chair of the Northern Ireland Network of Child Contact centres in Northern Ireland over Centres and Judy Birchall, Support the past 6 years. In the past year, NINCCC is actively working to Manager (North), National the three Child Contact Centres in develop Child Contact Centres in Association of Child Contact Belfast (Central Belfast, Cloona Northern Ireland; playing an Centres (NACCC). and Knock) plus the Mid Ulster active role in NACCC and CCC in Cookstown had facilitated hopefully in Eire. The future looks Mr Justice Gillen, who is a patron 245 families with 342 children. exciting, it will involve much hard There were over 3,000 family visits of NINCCC spoke about work, making funding “Balancing human rights in and over 4,000 children’s visits. In applications, and partnership contact disputes.” He remarked 2005 further CCC’s will open in that “the growth of contact Ballymena, Armagh, Foyle and working. centres is probably the most Omagh. Other projects are being significant development to occur planned in Carrickfergus, Vera McElhone, Muriel Orr and in the management of contact Coleraine and Craigavon. Judy Birchall

MATTERS 3 Halton Child Contact Centre: Going for Gold 9 Volunteers 6 Gold, 3 Silver (88) St Mark’s Child Contact Centre Although ALL Child Contact Centre (Chester): 17 Volunteers 9 Gold, volunteers are worth their weight in gold… 1 Silver, 2 Bronze (116) The Dorchester Child Contact What a fantastic response to the new Long Service Certificates awarded Centres: 8 Volunteers all Bronze (32) to Child Contact Centre Volunteers. The number of Certificates issued is as follows: 65 Gold for over 10 years service, 93 Silver for over 5 years Buttershaw Child Contact Centre service, and 75 Bronze for over 3 years Service. The total is 1,445 years (Bradford): 4 Volunteers 2 Silver, service given to local Child Contact Centres. What dedication and commitment this shows. Congratulations from all the Trustees and staff 2 Bronze (17) at NACCC. It can never be said enough – Child Contact Centres could not ‘Jimmy’s’ Contact Centre (Buckhurst operate without YOU. Thank you. Hill): 7 Volunteers 4 Gold, 2 Silver, The following list indicates the number of each level of certificate 1 Bronze (53) awarded since the last publication of Contact Matters in March. The number in brackets indicates the total number of years service given to Oswestry Child Contact Centre: that Centre: 6 Volunteers 4 Gold, 2 Silver (62) Child Contact Centre Accreditation

Congratulations… • St Andrew’s Child Contact • The Meeting Place Child Centre, Sheffield Contact Centre, Scarborough to all the Child • Boys & Girls Welfare Society, • Enfield Family Contact Centre Stockport • Time for Children, Tower Contact Centres • St James’ Child Contact Centre, Hamlets listed below. By Colchester • Family Action In our Region, • Brixton Family Services Rushden the July NACCC • Stafford Contact Centre • Welcare Accord Contact Centre, Board Meeting all • Castle Hill Child Contact Centre Kilburn (Northampton) • Greenfinch Contact Centre, had achieved • Stoke on Trent / Hanley Contact Herne Bay Centre • Whitchurch Child Contact Accreditation. • Chesterfield Child Contact Centre Centre • Kidlington Contact Centre • Aberdare Childrens Contact • Sunderland & South Tyneside • Wrekin Child Contact Centre, Centre Child Contact Centres Telford • Salford Child Contact Centre • Child Contact Centre, • Knock Child Contact Centre, • Abington Avenue URC Child Maidenhead Belfast Contact Centre – Northampton • Sutton Welcare Family Contact • Macclesfield Child Contact • Shrewsbury Child Contact Centre Centre Centre • Aire Valley Child Contact • Cove Family Contact Centre, • Merthyr Tydfil Child Contact Centres, Keighley Farnborough Centre • Skipton Contact Centre • The Crescent Project Contact • Oswestry Child Contact Centre • Aylesbury Child Contact Centre Centre, Caerphilly • Pontypridd Children’s Contact • Slough Child Contact Centre • East Lancashire Contact Centre, Centre • Bath Child Contact Centre Accrington • Portsmouth Child Contact • Springfield Contact Centre, • The Little House Contact Centre (ECRC) Upminster Centre, Exeter • Romford United Reformed • Billericay Child Contact Centre • Eastleigh Child Contact Centre Church Child Contact Centre

4 MATTERS Whitchurch Child Contact St James’ Child Contact Centre Macclesfield Child Contact Centre: 6 Volunteers 5 Silver (Colchester): 4 Volunteers Centre: 33 Volunteers 30 Silver, 1 Bronze (33) 2 Silver, 2 Bronze (19) 3 Bronze (63) South Bristol Child Contact Shrewsbury Child Contact Skipton Child Contact Centre: 28 Volunteers 11 Gold, 8 Silver, Centre: 7 Volunteers All Silver Centre: 13 Volunteers 3 Gold, 9 Bronze (177) (42) 7 Silver, 3 Bronze (95) Loughborough Child Contact Altrincham Child Contact Centre: Wrekin Child Contact Centre: Centre: 30 Volunteers 16 Gold, 1 Volunteer Gold (14) 6 Volunteers 5 Silver, 1 Bronze 10 Silver, 4 Bronze (222) (50) Do let me know in writing if you Abington Avenue URC Child have volunteers who you would like Bury St Edmunds Child Contact Contact Centre (Northampton): to thank and congratulate by 28 Volunteers all Bronze (84) Centre: 5 Volunteers 1 Gold, issuing them with one of NACCC’s 1 Silver, 3 Bronze (32) Billericay Child Contact Centre: new certificates. 5 Volunteers All Silver (25) St Paul’s Family Meeting Place Carolyn Cottam, (Bracknell): 17 Volunteers Hemel Hempstead Child Contact Membership Administrator, 11 Gold, 2 Silver, 3 Bronze (141) Centre: 1 Volunteer Silver (7) [email protected]

For any of the Child Contact Centres who are still working Celebrating Accreditation! towards Accreditation, please do not put yourselves under pressure, remember that your local Support Earlier this year our Contact more competitive! Pencil and Officers are available to help and Centre achieved accredited status. paper quizzes were available for support you through the process. those who preferred a quieter Yes, it did take some time to activity. compile the portfolio, but we now North West – Alex Cairns- have a document which contains Lawrence Half way through the evening we all the relevant information in one (plus 4 Child enjoyed a ‘bring and share’ supper easy-to-use place. The followed by our Prize-giving. Contact Centres management committee were in Wales) Duncan Gore presented the supportive and the volunteers Accreditation Certificate to the Norman Yates were kept fully informed about Co-ordinator and explained the the process, but from their point importance of achieving Judy Birchall of view nothing appeared to accreditation change as we have always worked South East to the national guidelines. Rev. Mark Westerman, the England – Don Kelly minister of the church with whom Also this year, many of our we are in partnership, presented London – Marilyn volunteers became eligible for the volunteers with their 3 year Schwarzenberger their 3 year certificates from certificates, thus demonstrating NACCC. Central South that the Church, as well as NACCC, England – Graham Gage I decided to raise the profile of values the work and commitment of the volunteers. East Anglia – Peter Farley these achievements by organising an ‘Accreditation Party’ for South West volunteers and their partners with The party was extremely successful England – Charmaine a ‘pub games’ theme. and raised the profile of the Bryant service that the volunteers give to We set up the room that we use our Child Contact Centre as well as The Midlands – Russell Collard for the older contact centre celebrating our achieving children as though it was a normal accreditation. North East session. The bagatelle, air hockey, England – Steve Eales table skittles, shove halfpenny and Accreditation Parties are to be table football proved to be as recommended! Please contact the NACCC office popular with the adults as with 0845 4500 280 for contact details our contact centre children. The Ruth Readhead, Abington Avenue for the Support Officers. adults were certainly noisier and Child Contact Centre Northampton

MATTERS 5 View from the Field

Twelve field staff support NACCC’s Full and Associate As well as his role as Support Officer, Alex Cairns- Member Child Contact Centres in the following ways. Lawrence also has another role, which is Fundraising Officer. He works with Centres to help them with There are three Support Managers, Judy Birchall in fundraising issues and he also raises funds for NACCC. the North, Duncan Gore in the Midlands and Barbara Majumdar in the South. They are responsible for: There are just never enough hours in the day and for • Designing and delivering training to Member some of the Support Officers the job at NACCC is not Centres, Judiciary, Solicitors and other Agencies. the only employment they have. The best part of the • Working with new Centres, supporting them in job is meeting our Members and hearing about the setting up. brilliant work you all do – and you always make us all • Working with new Supervised Centres. feel so very welcome. Thank you. • Keeping up to date with legislation, the voluntary sector, Green papers, consultations etc. • Support all Member Centres. • Support and manage the Support Officers. • Work with Support Officers to help Centres achieve Accreditation. • Working in partnership with other agencies i.e. Judiciary, CAFCASS. • Having an input into our publications i.e. Guidance Manual.

There are nine Support Officers who work an average of 10 hours per week. There are four in the South, Charmaine Bryant, Graham Gage, Don Kelly and Marilyn Schwarzenberger. Peter Farley and Russell Collard cover the Midlands and Norman Yates, Steve Field staff after a training session – Judy Birchall, Eales and Alex Cairns-Lawrence cover the North. Angela Graham, Steve Eales, Duncan Gore, Alex Every Member Centre will have been contacted by Cairns-Lawrence, Charmaine Bryant, Marilyn their Support Officer who works with the Centres to Schwarzenberger, Graham Gage, Barbara Majumdar help them achieve Accreditation. and Don Kelly. NACCC Field Team Barbara Majumdar Duncan Gore Judy Birchall Support Manager Support Manager Support Manager (South) (Midlands) (North)

Charmaine Bryant Peter Farley Norman Yates Alex Cairns-Lawrence. Support Officer Support Officer Support Officer Fundraising Officer (South West) (East Anglia) (North West)

Graham Gage Russell Collard Steve Eales Support Officer Support Officer Support Officer (South Central) (Midlands) (North East)

Don Kelly Alex Cairns-Lawrence Support Officer Support Officer (South East) (North West)

Marilyn Schwarzenberger Support Officer All Support Officers are part-time – they work approx 10 hours per week. (London)

6 MATTERS Promoting Volunteers Is your Child Contact Centre taking part in the Week or the Year of the Volunteer?

Year of the • Thank volunteers everywhere UK Wales Council for Voluntary Volunteer for their time and commitment Action, Volunteer Development Agency (Belfast), Volunteer 2005 is the Year of the Volunteer, Volunteer Development Scotland (VDS) and a year-long celebration of the organisations and Volunteering England work the Year amazing work volunteers do and together to shape the major a call to action to get more and themes for the Week. more of us volunteering. All volunteer organisations are encouraged to participate in and 2005 saw the UK’s 21st Volunteers’ Early in 2004, Chancellor Gordon benefit from the Year of the Week with volunteer managers Brown designated 2005 as the Volunteer 2005. It’s a chance to holding events across the country Year of the Volunteer. The Home increase engagement by providing to publicly thank their volunteers Office, as the government opportunities for the public to department with responsibility for volunteer, and to increase and highlight their contribution to awareness of volunteering in encouraging active citizenship, is local groups and the wider general. working in partnership with two community. Every year Volunteers’ well-established volunteering Week plays a huge part in raising If your Child Contact Centre would organisations Volunteering the profile of the UK’s 22 million like to get involved in the Year of England and CSV (Community volunteers and encouraging the Volunteer campaign, please Service Volunteers) to coordinate others to find out about getting go to the website the Year. www.yearofthevolunteer.org involved.

Aims of the Year Volunteer Week: To find out more about the Volunteer Week, please visit The Year’s main aims are to: 1 – 7 June each year www.volunteersweek.org.uk • Increase the number of volunteers, particularly Volunteers’ Week is a national If any NACCC member Child individuals from marginalised celebration of volunteers and Contact Centres have held, or are groups and young people volunteering which takes place planning to hold, an event for • Open up more volunteering from 1 – 7 June of each year. The Volunteers Week please contact opportunities in the public and Volunteers’ Week team at voluntary sector Volunteering England leads the Judith Miller with details so that • Raise the profile of the work planning and development of we can highlight this excellent volunteers are doing Volunteers’ Week. The volunteer celebration of volunteering in the nationwide development agencies across the March edition of Contact Matters.

MATTERS 7 CHILDREN STILL FIRST CONTACT – CARE – CONTINUITY

NACCC’s 2005 AGM and • Review of the year by the from 5 years to 3 years Conference were held on Chief Executive, Beverley J and the term of office Saturday 2 July at Brooks MBE. It was also of the Vice-Chair be Warwick University. Beverley’s last AGM as Chief reduced from 5 years to Executive. Beverley took the Feedback has been 3 years. excellent and the day was opportunity to explore NACCC’s developments to a tremendous success. • Announcement of new The venue was ideal and date, the way forward and NACCC Trustees: fortunately the weather working with partner Pauline Bond is the new was kind to us. organisations. She thanked everyone that she had had Chair of the NACCC Board The title of the event, ‘Children the pleasure to work with of Trustees until the NACCC Still First’ was so relevant to during her years at NACCC. AGM 2008, following the the work undertaken by the • Resolutions – all voted for: end of Prue Bray’s term as 1. That the annual entire member centres network Chair of NACCC. subscription payable by as well as NACCC. This was Phil Doughty – Regional NACCC members for the illustrated perfectly by all the Trustee, South West (3 years year commencing 1st speakers and seminar – to AGM 2008) April 2006 shall be £80 facilitators who were and that accordingly the Carol Meunier – Regional passionate about their work subscriptions to be paid Trustee, South (co-opted for and successfully enthused an by all other categories 1 year) already dedicated audience. of non-voting members Carol Peeke – Regional shall be such proportion Trustee, Wales (3 years – The AGM covered: thereof as the directors to AGM 2008) • The 2004-5 Trustees’ Report of NACCC shall in their – presented by the Chair, Allan Thomas – General absolute discretion Trustee (co-opted for Prue Bray. determine. 1 year) It was Prue’s last AGM as 2. That in accordance with Aliona Laker – Regional NACCC Chair and in her section 385 of the speech she outlined the Companies Act 1985 Trustee, East (co-opted for changes and achievements Clayton and Brewill of 1 year) that had occurred since her Cawley House, 149-155 Richard Sant – Regional appointment as Chair. Prue Canal Street, Trustee, Central (co-opted thanked everyone and Nottingham, NG1 7HR for 1 year) wished NACCC well for the are to be reappointed as future and commented that auditors for the year The new Vice-Chair to replace she had been very ending 31st March 2006. Pauline Bond will be voted for privileged to be involved in Special Resolution at the NACCC Board meeting in such an organisation which 3. The Articles of September 2005. has always put ‘Children Association shall be first’. amended at paragraph • 2004-5 Accounts – 38A thereof to provide Full minutes to be circulated to presented by the Treasurer, for the term of office of all full NACCC members at a Gordon Anderson the chair to be reduced later date.

8 MATTERS The price of Love: children nightmares to exhibiting and contact – problems such as drug & Who is paying the price? alcohol use. • Looked at children’s needs, • Things we know that help emotions, wants and how children – why are they so they are affected by their hard to achieve? i.e. parents’ separation. openness and candour at an • Showed how big the age appropriate level, problem is – i.e. nearly half questions answered, The Conference of all children in the UK will spending time and not NACCC managed to overcome see their parents divorce. rushing, reliability, a number of changes to the Mitigating factors – normality with as few speakers and a huge thank you strength of a child’s changes as possible. is sent from all of us to Honor relationships with both • Who else is paying the Rhodes, Chief Executive of parents, siblings and kin, price? Parents, Coram Family, who stepped in along with support from grandparents, step & half at the last minute to be the wider family and friends. siblings, wider kinship sole speaker for the day. • Discussed good parenting and what parents have to network, teachers, health Honor’s presentation, ‘The do after divorce and professionals, mental health Price of Love: Children and separation. workers and Child Contact Contact’, was inspirational and • Contact Centres see lots of Centre staff and volunteers. her experience in both social children and young people’s • The cost of matrimonial and legal work, along with her emotional and behavioural breakdown - £11 billion is a contagious enthusiasm, makes problems ranging from conservative estimate of her a fantastic advocate for insecure behaviours i.e. investment in relationship child contact. bedwetting, and support.

MATTERS 9 The presentation was Lashford, Associate Director, you who weren’t able to see interspersed with quotes to Message Makers Ltd. them on the day, here are ten demonstrate some of Honor’s of the excellent ways to make experiences of the difficult • Child protection, making a difference: situations children have to this real for the child. face. For example: Facilitated by Jackie Perrin, • We try to make our Centre • “I know he was really Children’s Guardian and a place where the families violent to my mum, I still Michelle Hines, Social can be relaxed, at ease and love him and I could feel Worker. feel at home. A fun place guilty about that too.” for children to be. We • “I can’t concentrate on • How can you work with provide toys and games anything now, I worry all fathers to make contact a that dads can enjoy playing the time about the smallest success for the child? with their child and also things, will I lose my watch? Facilitated by Steven Eales, involve the dads in sorting Will I remember what my Fathers Worker, Sunderland out the toys and fixing old room was like? Will my and South Tyneside Child them; something they may Dad’s girlfriend have a Contact Centres. do in a normal family baby?” environment. We listen to • I love my Mummy AND my • How do you make their worries, concerns and Daddy. I want Daddy to supervised contact fears. This we hope makes a read me my goodnight meaningful for the child? difference. story. I want Daddy to play Facilitated by Peter in the park with me, I want Nowland, Katie Thorpe, • We ask that families coming to see Eggy (the dog).” Grassroots Child Contact to the centre for their first Service and Hilary White, visit arrive 30 minutes after 2005 Conference Seminars Deputy Head of Service, our opening times. This The seminars were interactive Coram Child Contact allows for a volunteer to be and used both presentations Service. available to reassure the and workshop activities to parents and briefly show explore each of the subject. • Safe contact for children them around and answer through Accreditation. any concerns that they may • What does current research Facilitated by Judy Birchall, have. into Child Contact Centres Duncan Gore, Barbara tell us about the benefits to Majumdar, NACCC Support • We have just piloted a the child? Managers. parenting programme for Facilitated by Christine (mainly) resident parents, to Harrison, Deputy Director, The NACCC Office holds brief run while contact is taking Department of Health and details of the seminar place which we hope Social Studies, Warwick presentations and some of the (pending funding) will ‘take University handouts, so please contact us off’ in a huge way. if you would like to receive any Volunteers were welcome • ‘Free From Fear’ – The of this information. to this too. effects of domestic violence on child contact for the Making a difference • With the other six centres in child. At the NACCC AGM ‘making a Berkshire we meet twice Facilitated by Damian difference’ cards were handed yearly as a Partnership of Carnell, Nottinghamshire out inviting Child Contact Child Contact Centres which Domestic Violence Forum. Centres to share one thing that includes representatives they feel makes a difference to from our CAFCASS office, a • A child makes front-page the children and adults who local family court judge, news – how to deal with use their Centre. The magistrates, solicitors and the media. suggestions were all displayed services. We hold Facilitated by Sheila at the AGM, but for those of a joint training day each

10 MATTERS year for our volunteers and ensures parents are not which are basic, nor do we are working towards filling distracted from their child sell sweets and crisps etc, as the gap in our area for a during contact and also this can cause conflict Supervised Contact service. makes it easy to tell parents between the and the – no mobiles, as it’s the child/ren. • All volunteers wear the rule! same polo/sweatshirt (which We also have a giant Sully • A pre-visit by resident is green) along with our (from Monsters Inc.) parent and child helps name badge. This makes it Everyone loves him and the considerably so that the easy for the children, mums kids enjoy jumping on him. child is familiar with and dads to identify us. He is a lovely surroundings, toilet, toys, distraction/focus for parent refreshments, etc. One less • At Christmas we provide a and child. unknown for them to cope modest present for each with. Big welcoming smiles child, the funds come from • By sending a copy of Ben’s too! profits made form running story to all the children our coffee bar. The gifts are before they attend and by wrapped and sorted into encouraging the resident • We try to create and boxes according to the age parent to stay and let the maintain a relaxed range. The children dip into child/ren play for atmosphere at the centre. the appropriate box. approximately 3/4 of an We use taped/recorded hour on their pre-contact music, which I believe • We have banned the use of visit, we find the child/ren contributes towards this, it mobiles during contact are happier and settle also has the advantage of completely, and sent out an quicker on their first enabling conversations to update on our rules to contact session. We do not maintain a degree of remind parents. This charge for refreshments, confidentiality.

MATTERS 11 Legal Matters

A FAMILY LAWYER’S ROLE IN CONTACT ARRANGEMENTS

Often when a client comes to see me about problems If there are any reasons why contact cannot take with contact, it is shortly after the parents have place at the home of the parent with whom the child separated. Emotions are still very raw and sometimes lives, then an alternative venue is explored. In these children matters are only one issue to be addressed. I circumstances contact could take place at a mutual am also asked to advise on divorce and financial friend’s or grandparents’ home or sometimes matters too. arrangements can be agreed for an intermediary to collect the child and drop them off, so that the parents do not meet. I am instructed by fathers and mothers, in relation to contact issues but for the purpose of arranging However, a useful alternative is a contact centre. It is contact the general options/advice is basically the surprising what people’s general concept of a contact same. That is: centre is. Many see it as attached to the Court or a • Contact is the right of the child. place where their interaction with the child is going • Generally, a relationship with both parents to be “spied” on and reported back to the court or benefits the child although if domestic violence is the other parent’s solicitor. involved, then the child’s and the other parent’s safety must be a factor considered when If the parents both agree to contact taking place at a arranging contact. local contact centre then their respective solicitors • It is important to the child to maintain continuity liaise as to contacting the co-ordinator and after parents separate. completing referral forms etc. • A regular pattern of contact helps to establish a new routine for the child (and often assists Finally, if attempts to resolve a contact dispute have failed then either party can make an application to parents in coming to terms with changes too) the Court. The Court starts from the premise that • It is better for contact to be agreed between child’s welfare is paramount and a judge has a wide parents than for the Court to have to order it. discretion when making orders in the best interest of • If contact cannot take place immediately, then the child indirect contact (i.e. telephone calls, letters, birthday cards etc.) is a way of a child knowing The court process involves an initial hearing, at which that the parent who is not living with them still a family Judge and a CAFCASS Officer will try to assist loves them and cares. the parents to reach an agreement over contact. If this is not possible, then the Judge usually orders a In a situation where the parents agree to discuss report to be made. This involves the parents being issues directly with one another, but need help to interviewed and, if appropriate, the child. A return decide what is best for the child, then mediation is date is set for a future hearing when the Judge will often a successful option. be in possession of the CAFCASS Officer’s recommendations and, if appropriate, make an order for contact. One option open to a Judge is to order To arrange mediation, solicitors liaise with each other contact to take place at an appropriate contact and their clients. The clients will then contact the centre for supported or supervised contact. agreed mediator who sends forms to both parents and sets up a first meeting. Mediation is beneficial A solicitor’s role on the Court procedure is to make because the parents themselves decide on a contact sure the client is adequately represented – sometimes plan and do not have decisions made for them. If a a specialise barrister (referred to as “Counsel”) is solicitor is also a trained mediator, he/she cannot act instructed for representation in Court and the as both mediator and solicitor for a client. Sometimes solicitor will provide a written Brief to Counsel a judge will recommend the parties attend mediation setting out the background to the case. In this to try and resolve matters. situation, choice of the right Counsel to represent the

12 MATTERS THE PRIVATE LAW PROGRAMME client is important and the lawyer’s role in advising This is currently being introduced on a gradual basis the client is key. across England & Wales building on existing local schemes. It is being introduced after local Family lawyers are bound by good practice rules set consultation meetings, which centres should try to out in The Protocol. These specifically state that when dealing with family matters it is the find out about and attend if they have not already lawyer’s duty to encourage a constructive and happened. conciliatory approach to the resolution of family disputes. Also to minimise any risks to the parties or Some areas may therefore experience greater change the children and to bear in mind the children’s than others. One procedure now being introduced interests and long term family relationships. This means thinking ahead as far as possible to take into nationally, which before only existed in certain areas, account children’s changing needs as they grow older. is a Dispute Resolution First Hearing. This means that in every disputed family application there will be an I have not covered areas of domestic violence or early (within 4-6 weeks of proceedings starting) first abduction here as contact in such cases is usually hearing at which the court will more complex. In these circumstances a solicitor discusses issues of safety with their client and advise on appropriate arrangements for contact. 1. Identify any immediate safety issues 2. Set out a timescale for the case Child Contact Centres provide a much needed service 3. Identify the issues in dispute in society today. I work as a family lawyer in a Central 4. Examine the opportunities immediately available London firm and also as a volunteer at my local Child for support and assistance including mediation, Contact Centre at weekends. My employers are very supportive of the work carried out by Child Contact conciliation, therapy and referral to a contact Centres and at Christmas those in the firm who centre. decided not to send cards to other members of staff 5. Have a CAFCASS officer available to assist the made a donation to my local Child Contact Centre family whose priority is to end the dispute rather instead. Our Co-ordinator was delighted, as funds than prepare a formal report were extremely low at that time because of lack of time to fundraise. Centres may therefore find an increase in referrals of My work at the Child Contact Centre has helped my families at an earlier stage in their break up. understanding of the practical side of helping clients Hopefully this will mean attitudes are less entrenched to make contact arrangements and has enabled me & the gap between the non-resident parent having to explain better to my clients how contact at a Child Contact Centre really can benefit parents and last had contact much reduced. children in difficult circumstances. Centres should note that the Programme Guidance Frances Kelly states that “the Designated Family Judge responsible (Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives) for each family hearing centre shall liaise with court CUMBERLAND ELLIS FAMILY staff and CAFCASS and local service providers and LAW DEPARTMENT Tel: 020 7242 0422 shall set out in judicial listings and in parent & child Email: [email protected] information sheets the procedures arrangements &

MATTERS 13 FAMILY JUSTICE COUNCILS

facilities that are available to the court and families The Family Forum has, in the past, proved a really in the local area.” useful forum in Nottinghamshire for sharing information about Contact Centres with a wide variety of disciplines, e.g. Resolution (formerly Centres should write to their local Designated Family Solicitors’ Family Law Association), CAFCASS, Social Judge to ensure that their details are correctly Workers, and almost any organisation you care to contained on those sheets. name which have any impact at all on what happens to children in any kind of difficulty. These Forums (or, CAFCASS is now only to be asked for a report when it as I think they’re beginning to be called, Family is necessary and then just for key issues, this means Justice Councils) meet two or maybe three times a year when, certainly here in Nottingham and that a CAFCASS report will not be automatic in every presumably in other parts of the country, there is dispute. This could lead to a co-ordinator being put often a presentation about a particular topic, which under greater pressure to give evidence by a family interests those who attend. and co-ordinators should be particuarly cautious about any comments they make to the parties I’ve heard up to date news about how domestic solicitors, as these are now more likely to be used in violence victims are being cared for in Refuges and when they go to A & E. Recently my local CAFCASS court in the absence of a CAFCASS report. officer and I, together with the Co-ordinator for the supervised Centre here in Nottingham were asked to The Guidelines specifically refer to the need to gain tell everyone about Contact Centres, the difference the consent of any agency to report back to the court between supported and supervised Centres and what on the success of the first contact handover and we all have to offer families locally. centres should ensure that they have been consulted. If we’ve had any difficulties we have been able to air If they haven’t and they are presented with an order them, for instance letting everyone know that new they should write to the judge quoting section 23 of referrals are being put on hold for a while because of the Procedure. an overloaded list, safe in the knowledge that Minutes are being prepared for circulation to Section 24 states that arrangements for notification everyone who doesn’t attend, thus ensuring a wide should have been agreed during the consultation circulation of any messages we need to get over. period – all the more reason to take part. You will gather that this really is a good forum to get involved with. Do contact the local Family Court Centres should also write to the Designated Family section of the County Court and if you have any Judge for a copy of the scheme applicable in their problems then I’m sure that your CAFCASS contact area as this will contain useful information such as will do their best to get you included. Now is the the names of all Judges in the area dealing with time to try as the Family Justice Councils are being instituted and their Constitution, as set by the family matters and which courts they attend as well government requires them to seek representation as a list of local CAFCASS personnel. from the voluntary sector, so the door’s open – try going in! Judy Birchall, NACCC Support Manager North, [email protected] Mary Lower, President, NACCC

14 MATTERS Christmas Cards

NACCC is offering another selection of Christmas cards this year. The cards come in packs of ten and cost between £2.00 and £2.35. To order your Christmas cards please complete the order form enclosed in this edition of Contact Matters. Please photocopy the forms as required or contact the NACCC office on 0845 4500280 to request further order forms.

Key Ring

• Do you ever curse at the Key ring quantity 1 10 50 supermarket because you haven’t got a pound coin for Member Centres £1.50 £13 £60 the trolley? • Do you ever want an NACCC Affiliates £1.75 £15 £70 inexpensive little thank you present for your volunteers or NACCC Friends £1.75 £15 £70 colleagues? Non-members £2 £17 £80 One great way to overcome these dilemmas is the NACCC trolley Please use the enclosed order form, which you can photocopy as token key ring! required, to order key rings from the NACCC office.

MATTERS 15 Dear NACCC Please send your letters to Judith Miller at the NACCC office. NACCC staff and trustees will be pleased to answer any queries and include them in the next edition of Contact Matters.

Dear Peter Farley (NACCC Support Dear NACCC Dear Sarah, Officer for the East Anglia region) I am writing in response to the article Thank you for your letter. The great thing about Child Contact Centres is I am writing to say how much I ‘An Accreditation Tale’ (Spring 2005 issue). Unlike many Child Contact their individuality – you all run to the valued the accreditation process. same high standards, but how you do Centres we have a policy of asking it differs immensely over the Country. that the parents do meet, this is Although it was hard work Most Supported Child Contact Centres based on a child-centred perspective. work on the basis that parents do not assembling the evidence, it We feel that it is not in the best want to meet – or they have a system highlighted the areas where we were interests of children for them to be to show which parents do or do not falling short of best practice. By left with a volunteer or member of want to meet. The child’s needs must completing the accreditation process, staff, even for a short time, in order come first and the situation needs to our policies, procedures and working to avoid parents meeting. be managed sensitively. We are all Consequently, we ask that the adult aware that emotions are raw after practices now meet NACCC national parents separate and a family may standards. This not only enables us to bringing the child remains in the contact room until children are settled attend the Contact Centre without provide a more effective, efficient and any problems for many weeks and with the other parent. The article in then something triggers off bad professional service to our users, but question suggests the outcome of also provides more fulfilling feelings and lost tempers. If parents parents meeting may mean heated do not meet in the Centre, then the opportunities for our volunteers. arguments in front of the children. It child does not get involved and in a is our experience that the majority of child-centred environment, that is the Thank you for all your help with the parents respect and understand that prime concern. process – without your narrative, I we will not accept inappropriate Your Centre obviously works very well wouldn’t have known where to behaviour. We believe that our policy with your policy of parents meeting, begin! The reward of all the hard assists parents with making future arrangements for contact, supporting which is very encouraging that they work, however, was achieving are putting the needs of the child them to put aside their conflict and above their own, which is something accreditation for the Centre, and that focus on the needs of their children. makes it all worthwhile. every Child Contact Centre endeavours to do! Sarah Oliver Agnes Thorn, Co-ordinator, (Contact Service Co-ordinator) Regards Basildon Child Contact Centre NCH Seaham Family Centre Barbara Majumdar, NACCC

Dear NACCC Child Contact Centres has confirmed management fee, as reflected in our that they accept self-referrals, we Annual Review, together with a NACCC wouldn’t provide a list of child happily provide the details. As specific fund to enable us to employ contact centres – utilising the volunteers run a large proportion of Support Officers to work directly with argument that violent fathers might Centres and some of the referral Child Contact Centres on the learn where they were and take numbers are home numbers, we have Accreditation, but this finishes in action. NACCC’s helpline is terrible; to be guided by their decision on this March 2006. they won’t give the answers that matter. parents want. More and more parents NACCC Affiliate membership is open are acting in person and need to Contacting a Centre directly is the to organisations whose work is know details of child contact centres. best way to confirm other details e.g. related to Child Contact Centres and NACCC receives millions of public waiting lists as NACCC doesn’t hold who are willing to work with the funding and it is a disgrace that they this information. should not publish open lists. information in accordance to NACCC’s Secondly, I wish it were true that Values and Mission Statement. A Name withheld NACCC received millions of public NACCC Directory of Child Contact funds and I also wish it was Centres is only one of the benefits of Dear Sir increasing! The public funds, which Affiliate membership. Please contact are managed and administered by NACCC if you are interested in taking Firstly, I agree that more parents are NACCC, go directly to Child Contact up NACCC Affiliate membership. acting in person and when the NACCC Centres following open and information line receives a request for transparent application processes. Beverley J Brooks MBE, NACCC Chief contact centre details, as long as the NACCC receives only a very small Executive

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