The FAIR child contact centre is a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members.

A contact co-ordinator and a team of trained staff/volunteers who are impartial run the child contact centre, working within a strict confidentiality and safety policy.

Referrals will usually be made by a court, CAFCASS officer, local authority or another child contact centre, but in exceptional circumstances a child contact centre may accept a self-referral.

Visits are by referral only. The referrer will need to fill in our contact referral form as fully as possible. We will then look at the case and carry out a risk assessment.

We will ask the client wanting contact to visit the premises for a pre-visit to meet the staff involved, see the facilities we offer and discuss any matters regarding child contact

Supervised contact ensures the physical safety and emotional well being of a child. It also assists in building and sustaining positive relationships between a child and a member of their non-resident family.

This requires supervisors who are skilled and confident enough to intervene immediately and firmly if necessary and can work professionally in a planned way with vulnerable children and highly distressed adults.

Northamptonshire Supervised Child Contact Service operates from centres in Kettering, Corby, Northampton, Daventry and Wellingborough/Rushden and are all managed by FAIR.

A senior contact coordinator and a team of fully trained staff run the supervised child contact centres.

Supervised Contact involves:

High vigilance (a worker remaining with the family at all times), conversations being monitored and behaviour being closely observed (a factual report is provided with details of what happened in the room), one family at a time being in the contact room.

What is it like at a child contact centre?

The most important people at the child contact centre are the children. We aim to create a warm, sociable atmosphere where you and your children can relax and enjoy yourselves.

We provide toys, games and books for a wide age range. Tea, coffee and other refreshments are available at a nominal cost. We provide a large bright room for the non-resident parents to wait in, equipped with newspapers and refreshments.

How are visits arranged?

Visits are by referral. Referrals are usually made by a solicitor, family mediator, CAFCASS officer, social worker, the court or by parents themselves.

Does the centre make any reports about us?

We do not make verbal or written reports about visits, apart from the dates and times of attendance.

Do I have to meet my former partner?

Not if you don’t want to. Please let us know in advance and we can arrange for this not to happen.

What happens if I cannot come?

Please let your child’s visiting parent and our Co-ordinator know by phoning in advance or on the day of contact.

The telephone number is 01933 419424 or 01933 419418.

Yes, because the centre is used by several families at the same time, so we have to give consideration to others and ensure everyone’s safety.

• The welfare of each child is the responsibility of the parent. Children are not to be left in the care of volunteers.

• A child can only be taken out of the contact centre during a visit if it is stated on the referral form.

• Only persons named on a referral form can attend contact.

• You will have to attend a pre-visit at the centre before contact can start.

• Because the centre has to offer a safe venue for all children, a volunteer/member of staff will accompany any child and parent that leaves the main contact room.

• Please do not smoke in the centre. Anyone under the influence of or carrying alcohol/drugs will not be admitted.

• We do not allow the use of video/audio recording or mobile phones in the centre.

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“Thanks for your help, advice and most of all friendliness, you all do a great job.”
A mum when her contact had ended at FAIR.

“I’m really grateful to you all at the centre, as this is the only way I am able to see my only child.”
A dad at pre-visit, before seeing his son after a 7-month absence.