Harpenden Child Contact Centre
Policy
We try to have as few rules as possible. However, the Contact Centre is used by several families at the same time, so we need to consider the comfort and safety of all users.
Please note that where we refer to ‘parents’ this could refer to other adults involved e.g. grandparents or carers.
Please remember:
Parents are responsible for the safety and supervision of their children whilst at the Centre. We cannot accept any responsibility for personal injury or loss of belongings.
Resident parents must wait with their children until the contact parent arrives. A separate waiting room is available for this purpose.
Do not bring alcohol. No one under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be admitted to the Centre. The Centre is also a “No Smoking” building.
Please turn off all mobile phones off or keep them in silent mode while at the Centre.
No photography or video calls (facetime etc) are allowed within the Centre unless previously agreed with us or and the resident parent.
Relatives, new partners or friends can attend only if they are named on the referral form, with the agreement of both parents. You cannot bring anyone to the Centre if it has not been agreed that they can attend.
You must not disagree or argue with your ex-partner in front of any of the children.
Abusive or aggressive behaviour, racist or other offensive remarks are not tolerated under any circumstances. Any visitor who disobeys this rule will be asked to leave the Centre.
Pets are not allowed in the Centre.
The Centre provides ‘supported’ contact rather than ‘supervised’ contact. (There is a detailed explanation of the difference on our national organisation site.)
Supported contact can be provided where the risk is low – perhaps where communication has broken down following divorce or separation.
Supervised contact is provided where the risk is high – perhaps following domestic abuse.
Before contact is finally approved, both parents will need to attend the Centre separately for a pre-contact meeting with us.
Policies
A full list of our policies is available for download. Please click on the button below to download a copy or view online.
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