Sarah and Thomas are a separated couple who have been in a conflictual relationship. There is an intervention order in place due to family violence which means Sarah and Thomas can’t do child changeovers in the community. They came to Better Place Australia supervised contact centre to apply to do supervised changeovers.
After filling in the request for an application for our CCS services, they were each sent the application form which they completed and returned to us. After an initial assessment we ascertained that the matter was appropriate for the Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service, and proceeded with the process of supervised changeovers.
To ensure a safe, neutral space for changeovers, we facilitate staggered arrival times for separated parents. One parent arrives 15 minutes earlier and the other parent arrives 15 minutes later so they don’t have to see each other. (If the first parent ever runs late, we are in contact with the second parent to ensure they don’t cross over.)
Thanks to the supervised contact centre visits, changeovers for Sarah and Thomas have been going well. The children have been experiencing a safe, nurturing space for changeovers to occur. Watch CCS Program Lead Andrew share about it in the snapshot video below.
The benefits using Better Place Australia
There are many benefits using the Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service.
These include:
- easy to apply for to access the service
- 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.
How do I apply to access the Children’s Contact Service?
To request an application form for our Narre Warren or Sale services, please fill out this form.
The Better Place Australia Children’s Contact Service requires application forms from both parents to proceed to the Intake and Assessment stage. Once application forms have been received, both parents will be contacted for private individual intake interviews. Fees are shared between both parents unless otherwise specified in Court Orders.
