Portsmouth Child Contact Centre

	The Child Contact Centre provides a child-centred environment to enable the child to maintain contact with a non-resident parent or family member.
	The Contact Support Worker engages with parents to develop individual contact action plans.
	An example of the work being carried out is provided in this "Good News Story" from October 2005. A child who had not seen her Dad for a year and who had been so upset previously in contact that she now refused to come to the centre was referred to the CSW. The CSW worked with the child and her mother to build up trust so that the child was confident enough to meet her Dad with support from CSW.  They are now having regular contact with ongoing support from CSW.

Contact Support Worker

	The Portsmouth Child Contact Centre is a place where children living with one parent can meet the parent they do not live with in a safe and comfortable environment.
	The Contact Support Worker aims to assist parents to make contact a positive and fun experience for the child.
	The Contact Support Worker aims to encourage a deeper relationship between the child and contact parent by aiding communication around the child's interests, therefore reducing stress and conflict.
	The Contact Support Worker listens to the child and the parents in order to establish what would make contact better.

One of the aims of the service is to help the parents to support and encourage the child in their interests, e.g. hobbies, school, friends and evening activities.

The child, parents and Contact Support Worker will make a plan to ensure parents can tailor contact visits to suit the child. The Contact Support Worker will closely observe for part of one of the contact sessions.

The Contact Centre aims to be fun and interesting and will provide a variety of activities which parents and children can get involved in, including:

	Board games
	Sandpit
	Garden
	Painting and craft
	Lego
	Books
	Ball pit

The facility provides cushions and rugs for comfortable quiet times, a spacious play area and an older children's contact room.

Accessing the Service
The service can be accessed by:

	A Court Order – A referral to the Contact Support Worker can be included on an order from the courts. This will suggest that contact will begin once the parents and child have had an introductory visit with the Contact Support Worker at the Contact Centre.
	CAFCASS / Solicitors – Officers and Solicitors can contact the Contact Support Worker at The Roberts Centre to refer a family they feel would benefit from this service.

The project is funded by the Children's Fund, working together for a better future for our children!

The EC Roberts Centre
The centre is run by trained staff and volunteers who aim to provide a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. (Contact Centre staff do not provide written or verbal reports for the courts, neither are hey in a position to give evidence on the progress or quality of contact.)

The Centre has a fully equipped playroom, there is also an outside play area. There is a separate room allocated, where the parent who brings the child may wait. Refreshments are available for purchase.

Contact Sessions
There are four different types of Contact Sessions to ensure the requirements of both parents are met and make certain of the safety of the child or children at the centre.

There is a cost for these services please contact EC Roberts Centre for more information.

Supported Contact
	Several families attend the Centre at once
	Experienced staff and volunteers facilitate the sessions
	Low vigilance 'watchful eye'
	No court reports written

Handover
	At the beginning and end of each contact, children can be handed over in a safe, neutral environment.
	No court reports written

Supervised Contact
	Contact sessions take place in a specially prepared room where age appropriate toys and play materials are available
	A trained worker supported by a volunteer would supervise t contact session and ensure child/rens safety
	No verbal or written reports are given

Supervised Contact with Observed Record Sheet
	Contact sessions take place in a specially prepared room where age appropriate toys and play materials are available
	A trained worker supported by a volunteer would supervise the contact session and ensure the child/rens safety
	An Observed Record Sheet would be completed as required.

Separate waiting rooms are available for parents who do not wish to have contact with each other, children will be escorted to the contact parent by staff or volunteers.

If you are unable to attend please ensure that the other parent is notified as soon as possible. The Contact Centre can be notified on 023 9229 6919. The office closes at 6.00pm Monday – Friday. Urgent messages (out of hours) can be left on the answer phone. The centre may be used by several families at the same time; therefore consideration must be given to other parents and children

General Conditions
	No child may be left without a parent in attendance
	Parents are always responsible for the safety and supervision of their children whilst at the centre
	Parents are responsible for keeping to any conditions agreed between themselves or a specified court order
	A child who is unwell cannot be accepted
	Relatives or friends can only attend with the consent of both parents and staff at the centre
	Pets cannot be admitted
	Anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs cannot be allowed in the premises
	Smoking is permitted in the outside area only
	Abusive or aggressive behaviour cannot be tolerated and those involved will be asked to leave

Health and Safety
	The parents (not the staff or volunteers) are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children whilst at the centre. We therefore ask that you wait at the centre until the other parent arrives
	Where there are issues of domestic violence staff will monitor families using the centre to ensure that abusive and violent relationships are not perpetuated
	Where necessary we will endeavour to make it possible for parties to avoid each other by assisting with handovers and providing waiting facilities away from the main room
	Please do not bring alcohol with you. If you have been drinking before you arrive you may be asked to leave.

Equal Opportunities
We aim to offer an equal service regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religion. Racist or other offensive remarks or behaviour are unacceptable and will not be tolerated; any visitor making such remarks or acting in such a way will be asked to leave.

Contact us
For further information on the Contact Support Worker please contact us.

E.C. Roberts Centre
84 Crasswell Street
Portsmouth
Hampshire
PO1 1HT
Tel: 023 9229 6919

Registered Charity Number: 1066611