What are centres?

Child Contact Centres play a key role in helping children affected by breakdown to maintain relationships with the they do not live with or with wider family members. The central concept of a is to provide a safe, friendly, neutral, child – centred environment for children to meet with their non-resident parent or family member with trained staff in attendance offering support What types of contact are there? as and when required. They are designed to be a stepping stone to Supported Handover a more permanent arrangement for future The Contact Centre becomes a venue to drop off and pick up children for out of centre contact. Staff contact. facilitate the handover of the child from one parent to the other without the ever having to meet. A record of attendance is kept and an attendance report can be provided upon request.

Supported Contact Why do we need contact centres? Supported Contact facilitates handover from one parent to the other for contact within the centre. A large child friendly room with a wide range of toys is provided for the contact. There may be more than one family using the contact playroom at one time. Support Staff encourage and facilitate positive interaction between children and adults but will not necessarily be in the room at all times. We do not provide reports In most cases, it is better for a child to for supported contact with the exception of a record of attendance which can be provided on request. maintain contact with both of their parents after separation or . However, some Video Contact parents find it very difficult to make Video contact enables children to have contact with a non-resident parent or wider family member via arrangements to share their children’s time webcam. A support staff member will assist the child at the centre; however, the person requesting contact with their ex-partner or extended family must have access to the internet and a computer or tablet with a webcam. This service is provided on an appointment only basis and must be pre-arranged with Relationships Scotland—Family Highland. members. Sometimes parents simply have difficulty in communicating and agreeing These services are provided free of charge. There is a charge for an attendance report. arrangements. The Child Contact Centre provides a safe environment away from high Age of Children conflict situations for children to meet family There is no age limit at Child Contact Centres. While many children are younger, some young people at the members. age of 16 or over may have learning difficulties and may require the use of a safe venue. Child contact centres provide that place regardless of a child’s age. How do I make an appointment? Who are the Contact Centre Staff?

Parents can contact us directly by telephone The Contact Centre staff are trained or e-mail or they may prefer to approach a professionals and volunteers who have a professional such as a solicitor, social worker or knowledge and understanding of separation and other agency to make a referral for them. divorce and its effects on . They will all have undertaken training recognised by Individual pre-contact appointments are Relationships Scotland and adhere to essential arranged for both parents separately to discuss high standards set out by the Scottish Code of the arrangements for the contact. This Practice and the Child Contact Centre Quality appointment takes about 1½ hours and can be Assurance Framework. All staff and volunteers undertaken by telephone or at our Inverness are committed to Continual Professional Office. Development and structured supervision.

Contact us:

Service & Development Manager: Margret MacRae Contact Centre Co-ordinator: Mary Bauld Family Support Worker: Feri Collins

What are the opening hours? Relationships Scotland- Family Mediation Highland The Child Contact Centre, 62 Academy Street, Inverness, IV1 1LP based in the centre of Inverness, is open: Child Saturday 9.30 am - 4.30 pm. Tel: 01463 712100 Email: [email protected] Contact sessions last up to two hours but Website: www.relationships-scotland.org.uk Contact Centre the number and duration of sessions

varies depending on individual needs. Scottish Charity Number: SCO13780 Company Limited by guarantee No: 181290 Office hours are: Monday 9am – 4pm

Tuesday to Friday 9am—5pm Family Mediation Highland