A service providing safe and positive contact arrangements for children whose parents are separated.
What is this service for?
The Children’s Contact Service makes it possible for contact arrangements to take place with a minimum of stress both for children and their parents. It can also help with establishing a relationship between child and parent when there has been a period of limited or no contact.
The services that are provided:
- Planning, negotiation and setting up of contact arrangements
- Facilitated changeover to enable the child to be transferred smoothly from one parent to the other at contact times
- Supervised contact visits to enable child and visiting parent to enjoy quality time together
- Separate appointments for both parents
- Privacy and confidentiality
- An established children’s centre with toys, games and equipment
- Practical, sensible security including separate entrances and exits for each parent wherever possible
Advantages of Using the Service:
- Contact can be made using an independent third party
- Parents do not have to deal directly with each other
- It provides a relaxed, safe and neutral environment for children and parents
- Both parents can feel they are doing the best for their child
5 Steps to Accessing the Children’s Contact Service:
How do I make an appointment?
Call our professional staff on 1300 364 277.
Fees
This is a fee-paying service, concessions do apply.
When you call to book an appointment, we will discuss fees and payment options.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding fees you can give us a call on 1300 364 277.
Separated Family Support Program
What is this the ‘Separated Family Support’ Program?
With the right support, most parents can find a way to build a secure base for their children after separation. Being a separated parent can be hard, emotional work.
It can be difficult to know what you need and want, and what your children need and want. Your Separated Family Support Practitioner will help you navigate through this process.
How will the program help you and your family?
- Assist you to recognise your individual needs
- Assist you to recognise the needs of your children
- Promote healthy relationships and positive parenting
- Connect you to programs
- Help to facilitate parenting plans
What can I expect from the program?
- Short-term intervention support
- Parenting support
- Information on adjusting to changes post-separation
- Advice and support on parenting related coping skills
- Family meeting and individual support
- Referral to other services
How do I access this service?
This program is only available to existing Children’s Contact Centre (CCS) clients of RA Tas.
Existing clients can access this program by contacting their CCS Case Manager for an appointment.
Your Family Support Practitioner can offer you ongoing sessions where you can set goals and get help to achieve them.
Fees
The Separated Family Support Program is free of charge to participants.
Here’s how a supervised visit works
Here’s what a changeover looks like
Key Outcomes
The Children’s Contact Service seeks to:
- Establish and support contact arrangements with the assistance of an impartial third party
- Provide a safe and neutral venue for pre-arranged changeovers so children can move from one parent/family member to the other without stress
- Provide supervised visits to enable children to enjoy quality time with a parent/family member at our venue
- Pass child-focused and appropriate information from one parent/family member to the other at the time of contact
- Establish safety planning including separate appointments for parents
We are a Child Safe organisation
At Relationships Australia Tasmania (RA Tas) we consider the health, safety and wellbeing of all children and young people to be our highest priority. We strive to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. In particular, through our Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy.
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