A child contact centre offers a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated parents can meet their non-resident parent or other family members such as grandparents, brothers or sisters for contact visits. The centre aims to help children whose parents have separated where there is no reasonable alternative. It offers a child- centred environment and provides toys, games and other facilities that reflect the diverse needs of children affected by family breakdown.

Families are referred to the Centre by solicitors or by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

The centre has large comfortable rooms and is equipped with toys for a wide age range, a café area and a crèche. Here a visiting parent and their children can enjoy each other's company in a neutral venue A waiting room is available for the adult bringing the child.
The most important people in the Centre are the children and we hope that they will have good memories and feelings about their visit. It is unfair to draw children into parental disputes or pump them for information – this is a safe area where they should feel unpressurised and be able to enjoy themselves

Pudsey Child Contact Centre can only offer supported contact visits.

This involves:

• Impartiality.

• Several families at a time using our facilities.

• Low vigilance.

• Staff and volunteers are available for assistance but there is no close observation, monitoring of individual contacts/conversations.

• With the exception of dates and times of attendance, no detailed reports being made to a referrer, a party’s solicitor or a Court - unless anybody involved in the contact or a volunteer is at risk of harm.

• Encouragement for families to develop mutual trust and consider more satisfactory family venues.

Supported contact is often appropriate when there has been a breakdown of trust and communication between parents and no significant risk to the child or those around the child has been identified. The low level of vigilance means it is not always right to involve families where there has been domestic violence or there are child protection issues.

All referrals are received from Solicitors or CAFCASS Officers, – We do not accept self referrals. Families will be accepted subject to completing a successful Previsit to the centre.

If you and your ex-partner wish to use the Child Contact Centre you should contact your solicitor and ask them to contact the Centre Coordinator on pudseychildcontactcentre@uk2.net

Anyone who has problems with contact arrangements.

We might be needed for a one-off visit or on a regular basis for several years, or just as a hand over point to save parents from meeting.

Crèche room - complete with low temperature radiators and toys suitable for young children age 3 and under.

Narthex area with seating, tables and activities. Toys suitable for children of all ages including Playstation 2 and Nintendo Wii, Jigsaws, books, and craft making facilities, (Pens & paper etc).

Toys for children with special needs. We cater for children with special
needs and have a good selection of toys available but you may wish to contact the co-ordinator via your represetative to discuss the possibility of us purchasing toys suitable for your child/children's special needs.

Disabled toilets.

The centre has excellent disabled access and access for prams and
pushchairs.

Baby changing facilities

Coffee bar - Free tea, coffee. Biscuits and home-made cakes for a
nominal fee. Squash is free of charge for children.

Contact takes place 2 weekly on a Sunday from 2.00 till 4.00. We ask that the non resident parent arrives at 1.50 and the resident parent arrives at 2.00. We also ask that the non resident parent waits in the centre for 5 minutes after contact so that the resident parent has time to leave.

There are 2 volunteers on the welcome desk to greet clients and book them in.

The non resident parent arrives at 1.50 and must be waiting for the child/children to arrive The resident parent or adult accompanying a child will arrive at 2.00. The child will be taken through to meet their visitor by either their accompanying adult or a volunteer. Visitors will be shown to the waiting room where tea and coffee is available free of charge.

The Coordinator organises the overall running of the centre. Each session is led by a Team Leader and assisted by four or five trained volunteers.

Only people named on the referral form will be allowed to have contact unless there has been a mutual agreement. Unexpected visitors will not be allowed access to the contact centre unless both parties agree.

We currently do not charge for our service. Refreshments are available for clients. Tea, coffee and juice are free of charge but we make a small charge for chocolate biscuits, crisps, and fruit shoots.

They should let each other or their solicitor know and phone the Centre on 07708 167301.

Not unless there are concerns for a child's safety. We do, if requested, supply date and times of visits. CAFCASS may attend to write reports by prior arrangement.

No – we ask that the non resident parent arrives at 1.50 and waits in the centre until the resident parent arrives at 2.00. A volunteer will then take the Child/Children into the Centre. We also ask that the non resident parent waits behind for 5 minutes until the resident parent has left the area.

Only if it has been arranged beforehand with the referrer. Some families use the Centre as a 'handover' point.

No – referrals can only be made via solicitors or CAFCASS.

There is no set time limit on your stay at the contact centre, although we do actively encourage parents to eventually make their own arrangements.

No - but there is plenty of on street parking in the area and a parking area to the side of the Church.

 It is compulsory to come to the centre for a pre-visit appointment. This is to ensure we have the correct information regarding your contact centre arrangement and an opportunity for you to look round the centre and raise any concerns you have. It is also beneficial to the child/children to know where they will be coming and to see what toys there are to play with etc.

See about us.

We do not write reports at the centre, however we do keep all times of families attendance for our records and can send this to your referrer.

There are accessible toilets and disabled access downstairs. The waiting area is upstairs so resident parents will need to speak to their referrer to organise an alternative waiting area.

All contact details are kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone without prior permission.

Yes, we encourage non resident parents to bring suitable toys to the centre, however you will need to take them home with you at the end of the session. The centre also has a toy fund so if there are toys that you think should be available at the centre, please mentioned it to the team.

We aim to start new family sessions as soon as possible once the Coordinator has received the referral forms. However, when the centre is at full capacity, you may be put on a short waiting list.