Children's Contact Service

Support for separated families

The Children's Contact Service provides parents and carers with supervised visits at a safe and neutral venue, with the child/children they do not live with. We also provide facilitated changeovers, to enable children to move smoothly between parents. 

If you are living in the Wangaratta region and require support to manage contact or shared care arrangements for your children, this service may be able to support you.

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Supervised or supported visits

For some separated parents or carers, it may be difficult to manage contact and shared care arrangements for their children. Particularly when there is high conflict between separated families.

At CatholicCare Victoria we provide parents and carers with the opportunity to have supervised or supported contact visits, at a safe and neutral venue, with the child/children they do not live with.

During a supervised visit, one of our trained practitioners will be present as the parent/carer visits their child. Supported visits enable a parent/carer to visit their child without a practitioner always in the room, but still on site.

Parents and carers are supported to build relationships with their children through play, dialogue and positive interactions.

Facilitated changeovers

Facilitated changeovers enable children to move smoothly between parents, providing a safe environment and safe arrangements for parents and children.

During facilitated changeovers, children will be accompanied by a staff member from one parent/carer to the other.

We put your child's best interests and safety first

Our team exercises objectivity and neutrality when providing supervision of contact to ensure that the voice of both parents/carers is heard.

The child’s best interests and safety will always be taken into consideration above those of their parents.

During the intake and assessment process, if the Children’s Contact Service is seen to be suitable for your family, you will be placed on a waiting list.

There may be occasions where use of the Children’s Contact Service is assessed as not suitable for your needs. When this occurs, our team will offer referral pathways to families.

How do I access this service?

Family members, lawyers or community agency workers can call our Children’s Contact Service for information and application forms.

Both parents/carers need to complete an application form. Further information may need to be gathered from other professionals as part of the intake and assessment process.

Our service is available from Tuesday to Saturday.

Fees

CatholicCare Victoria’s Children’s Contact Service is funded by the Federal Department of Social Services, but this funding does not fully cover the cost of services provided.

Fees charged will be based on income and ability to pay. Fees range from $10 to $40 per visit.

Fees may be waived in circumstances of financial hardship, following discussion with the Children’s Contact Service Team Leader.

More information

This program receives funding from the Federal Department of Social Services.

Download the brochure 

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