How can a separated parent have time with their child when there are allegations of family violence?

Anna and James are going through family law proceedings and the father is enquiring about having time with children when there are allegations of family violence. They are needing a place where the children can spend time with the father in a safe and supportive environment.

James came to Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service (CCS) for help. After the initial intake and suitability assessments, we determined that the matter was appropriate to proceed with services from a supervised contact centre.

Part of the safety measures for CCS is staggered arrival times. James arrives 15 minutes early, and Anna arrives on time, so they don’t have to see each other. If James was to arrive late, then we would contact Anna and facilitate her arrival time to ensure safety.

Andrew, Program Manager for CCS, says, “The service is aiming to eventually bring Anna and James to a point of self-management when it’s safe to do so, where they can arrange child visitations in the community by themselves in a safe manner.

“Anna is taking the matter through the Family Law Court, so we will be providing Anna and James with Court reports at the end of the process. This reports contain objective case notes of the visitations. These will be available for the Family Law Court proceedings,” says Andrew Lopez, Program Manager Better Place Australia CCS.

How is it working out for Anna and James at the supervised contact centre?

Watch Andrew share more in the snapshot video below.

There are many benefits using the Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service.

These include:

• child-focused
• confidential, safe, facilitative environment
• access to child counselling and parenting programs as part of service
• ability to refer to counselling, psychological and mediation services without switching providers
• access to parenting programs
• convenient locations close to transport and facilities hub.

If you would like to request access to the Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service, fill out the application form here.

*Deidentified for confidentiality