Pyramids Supported Contact Service (Private Law)
Our purpose built contact centre offers supported contact to benefit children aged between 0 and 18 years (including those having special needs).
Our supported contact service enables children to develop and maintain positive relationships with non-resident parents and other family members. Supported contact is suitable for families where no significant risks have been identified, either to the child or around the child. Children are the responsibility of parents at all times. The staff do not get directly involved during contact but are on hand if necessary to offer support and assist with handovers if required. There is no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual contacts/conversations. There can often be several families at once and this is often a short term arrangement – families are encouraged on to develop trust and co-operation, moving towards being able to have contact out in the community/family venues.
Apart from attendance dates and times, no detailed report will be made of supported contact to a referrer, CAFCASS, a party’s solicitor or court unless there is a risk of harm to the child, parent or Centre worker (or report required to inform Court).
Supported contact can be viewed as a temporary arrangement to be reviewed after an agreed period of time, a maximum of six months after the contact commences; with a view to moving families on within a twelve months period.
Child contact centres are great places for children to spend time with a parent they no longer live with. Grandparents and other family members can also use our Centre. When parents separate or divorce, many face emotional and practical issues which can take time to resolve. Parents may also find it hard to discuss and arrange child contact. Contact centres provide a neutral place where contact can take place safely but where parents do not have to meet if they do not wish to.
We are accredited to the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC).
The Pyramids contact supported service is available on Sundays by appointment. We may be able to offer this service at other times if required by prior agreement.
Staggered arrival and departure times are arranged to avoid unplanned meetings between parties as appropriate.
Children are escorted to and from contact and handed over to the respective parent/carer.
Separate waiting areas are available for parents/carers that want to avoid contact with each other.
Each family has access to a pleasant child friendly room with age appropriate toys as well as access to a kitchen area, where simple meals and cooking activities can take place. Supported contact only usually takes place at our contact centre in March.
The service ensures that contact takes place in a way that is safe for everyone concerned, and aims to assist court procedings in making an assessment.
We can accept referrals from solicitors, family mediators. CAFCASS, social workers or families direct.
Parents must agree to Pyramids ‘Terms and Conditions of Use’ before contact takes place.
All workers have been cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and have both relevant experience and training.
Contact Venue
The Pyramids Contact Service is situated at 7 Melbourne Avenue, March, Cambs, PE15 0EN using our own purpose built facility offering 4 contact rooms and a garden. Hire of our own contact rooms will be included in the hourly rate.
Reporting
We do not usually compile reports for supported contact sessions although this can be discussed at the time of referral. Our staff will however take notes of contacts taking place for our own records. Please see our Privacy Policy for more information.
Any concerns arising from the contact will be raised with the referrer/other parties as appropriate as soon as possible after the event. Matters where the safety and well being of the child(ren) are at significant risk will be dealt with immediately in accordance with our Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
Charges
There is currently a £32.50 referral fee charged for our Pyramids Supported Contact Service. This is non-refundable.
Supported contact is currently subsidised by CAFCASS and is charged at £7.00 per hour including VAT - the grant is not guaranteed for 2023-2024 and if not received, the cost will be £11 per hour.
It is the responsibility of the referring agent to ensure payment matters have been discussed and agreed prior to requesting any supported contact sessions. The referring agent must also ensure prompt payment is made on receipt of any invoice.
Self referrals are subject to the charges stated above and can be accepted if both parties agree to the contact.
How to Apply
Telephone enquires are invited:
Monday – Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm: 01354 655105
Informal/out of hours enquiries may be directed to:
Lesley Dahle 07775 614099
Rooms may be limited so it is recommended that Pyramids is telephoned in the first instance to find out when supported contact can be offered.
Referrals must be in writing on a completed Pyramids referral form.
Pyramids can also be contacted by email admin1@bainanddahle.co.uk.
Please note that a full assessment must be undertaken to inform any risk assessment before contact can take place. It is therefore unlikely that contact can take place within a week of a referral being received.
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