Shropshire Child Contact Centres – SCCC – run three Supported Child Contact Centres in Shropshire, and are Accredited Members of the National Association of Child Contact Centres.
SCCC members running the centres are trained volunteers. They are selected by interview, must give references and are DBS checked. Members operate within the SCCC code of practice at every centre.
What is a Child Contact Centre?
It is a friendly, safe and neutral environment where children can meet a parent or other family members they might not otherwise see.
How long does each session last and how frequent are sessions?
Sessions are for a maximum of two hours but are geared to suit individual families. Babies often stay for an hour initially as two hours is a long time in one room. Sometimes sessions start with a child for an hour then build up to two hours when the child is more familiarised.
Oswestry currently runs on the first Saturday of the month between 2pm - 4pm
Telford and Shrewsbury run alternate Saturdays between 2pm - 4pm
Oswestry currently runs on the first Saturday of the month between 2pm - 4pm
Telford and Shrewsbury run alternate Saturdays between 2pm - 4pm
Is contact at the centres safe?
Yes. Each referral is carefully checked so that volunteers an provide a safe and stress-free contact session for each family. They are always mindful of their duty of care to ensure children are safe by having safeguarding training and following strict guidelines.
Children cannot be left without their parent present in the room at the centres. They are responsible for their children at all times.
Children cannot be left without their parent present in the room at the centres. They are responsible for their children at all times.
What happens at the contact centre?
There will be several families together in one room, but each family has their own designated space with a table and chairs. There are some toys and games to play with in the space. However, parents are encouraged to bring their own activities such as games, book, or crafts to play with their children.
Non-resident parents often bring drink and snacks, provided the resident parent is satisfied that dietary needs are considered.
We have outdoor space at Wellington and Oswestry for outdoor play.
Non-resident parents often bring drink and snacks, provided the resident parent is satisfied that dietary needs are considered.
We have outdoor space at Wellington and Oswestry for outdoor play.
What happens if I cannot come?
Let your former partner and the centre co-ordinator know in advance.
Does the resident parent ever stay for the duration of the contact session?
Occasionally yes. With a very young child or baby, both the parents agree in advance to help familiarise the child with the non-resident parent. However, in general the resident parent is expected to leave the centre for the duration of the contact.
Do the parents have to meet?
No, they don't have to meet. We can arrange to stagger arrival and departure times, so it doesn't need to happen. Some parents arrive 10 minutes early and stay behind giving time for the child to leave the car-park.
Do staff get involved in parents problems?
No, staff provide a listening ear and encourage a calm and stress-free environment. They can offer helpful advice or assistance in order to help sessions work well. They always remain impartial and don't get involved in any disputes or pass any messages on.
How do parents apply to use the contact centres?
A referral can also be made via a solicitor, CAFCASS officer, mediator, or other professional.
Sometimes there is a court order directing contact to take place at a supported contact centre.
The process for a self-referral is for one parent to contact our Contact Centre Manager. They will then speak to both parents to see if it seems likely that the contact centre can help the family.
Sometimes there is a court order directing contact to take place at a supported contact centre.
The process for a self-referral is for one parent to contact our Contact Centre Manager. They will then speak to both parents to see if it seems likely that the contact centre can help the family.
What preparation is needed before the child or children attend?
The resident parent is expected to prepare their children for contact with the other parent who might have been absent from the child's life for a long time. It is very apparent how well the children enjoy the centre if they have been reassured and well prepared and not been negative about the other parent.
We support both sets of parents and their children through the initial visit. We are aware that the resident parent and child will be anxious about being separated, this anxiety can be increased if there has been past trauma. The non-resident parent will also be extremely anxious through fear of rejection by their child as it may have been some time since they have been together. It can be very upsetting for the non-resident parent at the end of the session too when their children leave, and they have to wait two weeks until they see them again.
We will engage with the individuals to help them feel supported and sit with them until they feel fine to leave.
We support both sets of parents and their children through the initial visit. We are aware that the resident parent and child will be anxious about being separated, this anxiety can be increased if there has been past trauma. The non-resident parent will also be extremely anxious through fear of rejection by their child as it may have been some time since they have been together. It can be very upsetting for the non-resident parent at the end of the session too when their children leave, and they have to wait two weeks until they see them again.
We will engage with the individuals to help them feel supported and sit with them until they feel fine to leave.
Do you prepare reports for the other parent or for court hearings?
No. We will only confirm to court that contact has taken place but to maintain our strict neutrality we do not under any circumstances prepare reports.
How much does it cost to use the contact centre?
There is a one-off payment of £50 and no other charges. Sometimes parents split this depending on circumstances. If the family are struggling financially this would never bar them from contact. This fee can also be paid in installments.
Can you accommodate relatives other than parents?
Yes, we receive some applications from grandparents. But these are usually through court order. Otherwise, we need permission from parents to proceed with an application from the grandparents. Sometimes other family members are included, including other siblings, cousins, aunties, uncles.
It is generally advised that there should be a period for the parent and child / children to re-establish relationships first. If both parents, then agree other-family members can be included.
It is generally advised that there should be a period for the parent and child / children to re-establish relationships first. If both parents, then agree other-family members can be included.
Is there any time limit to using a contact centre?
No, but after six months we encourage parents to jointly consider the next steps. Some families use our centres to meet up, then contact takes place elsewhere.
Our aim is for parents to begin to establish trust in each other. However, we recognise that each family is unique. Some families only need a few months whilst others use the centres for years. Some families agree that some kind of contact can take place outside the centre and other families progress to having contact elsewhere.
Family breakdown is often a devastation experience for adults and children alike, and our objective is to provide a safe space for contact so that everyone can begin to adjust to a very different life.
We recognise that children are often unwittingly drawn into parental conflict, and they need to be reassured that whilst they are at our centres, they are free from family disputes.
Our aim is for parents to begin to establish trust in each other. However, we recognise that each family is unique. Some families only need a few months whilst others use the centres for years. Some families agree that some kind of contact can take place outside the centre and other families progress to having contact elsewhere.
Family breakdown is often a devastation experience for adults and children alike, and our objective is to provide a safe space for contact so that everyone can begin to adjust to a very different life.
We recognise that children are often unwittingly drawn into parental conflict, and they need to be reassured that whilst they are at our centres, they are free from family disputes.
I want to see my children, I haven’t got a solicitor and I can’t afford to go to court, what do I do?
Firstly familiarise yourself with the information about our centres and if possible discuss it with the other parent – suggesting the Contact Centres as a way forward.
However, don’t worry if you aren’t able to communicate with them; if you give us their contact details we can get in touch with them to discuss future arrangements.
Decide which venue is the most appropriate for you and your family and then phone us on 0772 195 2857. We will talk to you about your family situation and check out there is no history of domestic violence or drug / alcohol misuse. This may not rule
you out, but could mean that our Contact Centres are not appropriate for you at this time. However we will advise on other options available to you.
We will explain how our centres operate and how our staff are trained to support the whole family every step of the way and we want it to be a positive experience for you all.
If contact at one of our centres can go ahead we will arrange separate face to face meetings so that each parent can complete our application form, and sign agreeing to follow the centre’s rules and guidelines. There is a one off fee of £50 but no other
charges to use the centres.
We understand that the referral process can feel a bit daunting and intrusive, but please remember that we are passionate about helping families to re-establish relationships and that we will do everything we can to assist every family in a safe
and secure way.
There’s no time limit to how long you can use our centre. All families are different and we will help everyone to regularly review their situation.
As time progresses many parents are more able to co-operate with each other and a level of trust develops between them.
One option then is to use a contact centre as a meeting place with your child so you can enjoy time away from the centre for one or two hours, before returning to the centre to meet up with the resident parent.
