Information For Parents

At West Lancs Child Contact Centre we believe in bringing children and families together, we ensure that the needs of the child are met and we aim to make their time at the Centre is a pleasurable during contact West Lancs Child Contact Centre usually gets families referred from either Cafcass or a solicitor (legal aid) if this is so they usually cover all costs. If you are paying for the contact yourself staff will arrange a meeting with you and discuss costs and terms and conditions.

Once referred staff will arrange a ‘pre contact’ interview. This is a chance for staff, family members and the child(ren) to come and look around the Centre, meet the staff and raised any questions or queries. We have an extensive range of policies in place such as Domestic violence, Alcohol abuse, drug abuse etc. We pride ourselves in following these word for word and if it is felt that any of these policies are breached we will cease contact and return the matter to court.

We aim to create a home setting as much as possible in the centre . The Centre contains two main play rooms which are decorated in bright colours, fully furnished with couches, desks, computers and a wide range toys for all ages. The centre further contains two bathrooms; a chill out room and kitchen which all are for your use. We encourage that all the rooms be used by families.

Contact usually consists of ten lots of two hour sessions. With ‘supervised contact’ a member of staff will stay with you during the contact and will fill out a ‘record of contact’ sheet. This contains criteria for staff to fill out, for example the physical interaction between the non-resident parent and child(ren), the degree of attachment etc. At West Lancs Child Contact Centre we ask the non-resident family member to arrive at the Centre fifteen minutes before the resident family member and the child(ren), but other arrangements can be made. Staff will then take the child(ren) to their non-resident family member. During the contact a member of staff stays with the non-resident parent and child (ren). They will intervene at least as possible as they will also be assessing the parenting capability of the non-resident parent. The non-resident family member and child(ren) are able to use every room in the Centre and any toys, computers, DVD’s or board games.

Once the ten sessions have ended the staff at the Centre we will collate a Court report which will be given to the courts.

If you have any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact West Lancs Child Contact Centre on westlancsccc@aol.com