Children's Contact Service - Relationship Australia Tasmania

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:

Step 1: Contact

One parent calls the Children’s Contact Service and completes a short telephone intake.

Step 2: Parental agreement

The Children’s Contact Service will contact the other parent by letter or phone to seek agreement to use the service. If both parents agree, they proceed to step 3.

Step 3: Intake Assessment Interview

The Children’s Contact Service will arrange an intake interview. This is to assess the suitability of our service and understand and sign the CCS service agreement. Please refer to the ‘Times’ tab on the Tas Family Law Pathways website or call a Children’s Contact Service for wait times for an intake interview. When both parties have completed an Intake Interview, they proceed to step 4.

Step 4: Child Orientation Assessment

The child/ren will be asked to attend an orientation visit approximately one week before the first visit is to occur. This is to assess the suitability of the Children’s Contact Service for your child/ren and their ability to separate from their primary carer.

Step 5: Contact Arrangements Commence

With agreement from both parties visits or changeovers commence following a successful child orientation session.

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.

More information

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