Multi Horizons Child Contact Centre

…where parenting can continue even after a partnership ends …

Our purpose is to provide an environment where parents and children feel safe and supported, happy to meet and engage with each other. The children’s happiness and well-being is paramount, and is our primary concern.

Why Choose Us

At the Multi Horizons Child Contact Centre, we understand the issues facing children and their families due to family breakdown or separation.

What are the Facilities at the Multi Horizons Centre?

The most important people at the Multi Horizons Contact Centre are the children.

To help facilitate the right environment, and for both child and adult to have meaningful contact, we provide:

 

– Personal space

– A quiet calm room

– A secure garden

– Some car parking

– Easy access to public transport

We can also provide refreshments during contact visits: squash, biscuits, tea, coffee.

 

The aim for our services is to provide a secure and stimulating experience for both children and the parents, maximising the benefits of each meeting.

How we help

…provide a safe, friendly, professional and impartial service to children and their families, where they are happy to come and spend time together

…provide the best facilities and staff

…child focused, supportive and cost effective, and meeting the individual needs of each family

…support parents and children to re-build relationships

…make this a positive and happy experience for children and families

…provide a confidential and professional environment

…continually develop through ongoing feedback, learning and experience

What is a Child Contact Centre?

A Child Contact Centre is a safe, friendly and  neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents, and sometimes other family members. It is a child-centered environment that puts the needs of the children first.

What is it like at the Multi Horizons Child Contact Centre?

The most important people in our Child Contact  Centre are the children. We create a warm,  sociable atmosphere where you and your children can relax and enjoy yourselves. The centre has a variety of facilities suitable for  children of all ages. Tea, coffee and other  refreshments are provided. You may want to bring  along some favourite toys, special drinks, or other things you might need such as nappies. The Child Contact Centre is run by fully trained  staff and volunteers. They are impartial, they do  not take sides. They all been through an Enhanced DBS check and work to a strict confidentiality policy.

How are the visits arranged?

Visits are by referral. The referral can be made by a  social worker, solicitor, family mediator, CAFCASS  officer (formerly known as a court family welfare  officer), or by a Court order. The person making the referral fills out a referral form and sends it to the Centre Co-ordinator. It is required for you (the parent) to have a referral meeting before your  first arranged visit. A plan is agreed and signed by both parties, enabling contact meetings to be set up.

Supervised Contact

Contact between parent and child will be supervised by one of our qualified staff members. We will be in constant sight and sound of the child or young person.  Staff are always on hand to provide support and safety if needed. Observational notes are taken during the contact session and a report written up on the Contact Report form within 48 hours of the session ending. This report is then given to the centre co-ordinator who will pass it on to the relevant parties.

Supported Contact

We provide supported contact services for families where no significant risk to the child or young person has been identified. We are available for any assistance but there is no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of the contact, as families are encouraged to develop mutual trust, and support the child / young person’s best interests. No reports are provided unless requested, or a risk of harm has been identified. (A fee is applicable for report writing).

Handover Service

If parents do not want to meet each other, we facilitate the handover to ensure parents do not have to meet, and we keep the parties apart.

Contact Outside or at home

If suitable and agreed, we can also arrange for contact to take place outside the Centre or at home