THE VISIT

The visiting parent:

• Agrees to keep to staggered arrival and departure times and not loiter, follow and/or harass my child’s other parent/caregiver outside the contact centre
• Agrees that failure to deliver or collect the child at the agreed time will prompt the Contact Supervisor to take immediate action as appropriate
• Agrees that any discussion regarding the process and reason for the supervised contact is to be with the Coordinator during office hours and not with staff during the day
• Will not bring any unauthorised items or people into the visit site unless there is a signed authority in place agreed by the coordinator
• Keeping children safe
• Children are to remain within the contact centre

The visiting parent will not:

• Expose children to physical violence or abusive language and behaviour
• Expose children to emotional abuse such as put-downs, blaming, teasing, or criticism. This includes negative comments about the other parent or trying to gain sympathy from my child, or prolonging farewells
• Pressure the child/ren into activities or situations against their will

COMMUNICATION

The visiting parent will:

• Ensure that all conversations can be heard and is child-focused
• Not discuss any adult issues, for example, future visits, court issues, or where the child might live in the future and with whom
• Will not ask questions as to where the other parent lives or any other personal contact details
• Will not use abusive language or intimidating behaviour towards staff

STAFF

The visiting parent:

• Accepts that Family Focus has the right to refuse to hand over a child from one party to another when staff consider the child is at risk or someone is likely to be harmed
• Will abide by any directions given by the Supervisors
• During the contact visits, only staff are permitted to:
  • Take photographs
  • Administer emergency first aid
  • Assist the children in the toilet and bathroom and change nappies, unless otherwise negotiated with the Contact Coordinator

ENVIRONMENT

The visiting parent will not:

• Smoke on the premises
• Arrive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Use a mobile phone
• Bring dangerous objects into the visit site
• Will follow the agency’s ‘use of facilities’ rules
• If these rules are disregarded, then contact sessions may be cancelled

Any breach of these rules may result in notification to the Family Court/Lawyer for Child/Oranga Tamariki/Police

Click here to download a copy of the Supervised Contact booklet