A child-centered contact service
Covering the whole of Cornwall
A child-centered contact service
Covering the whole of Cornwall
What we can offer
Supervised Contact
Supervised contact is used when parents separate, trust has broken down and communication is difficult. The purpose of supervised contact is to safeguard the child(ren)’s physical and emotional well-being whilst building positive, consistent relationships which places the child(ren)’s needs first.
Supervision means that we will be present, and observe your interactions, and listen to your conversations with your child(ren).We will make notes which will be used to write reports based upon your contact, and these will be sent to both parents and their solicitors or Cafcass (where required).
There are some activities that are not conducive to supervise contact. We do not climb on play equipment, follow you down slides, bike riding or swimming, during these supervised contact sessions. We will stay close in order to hear conversations and observe interactions between you and the child(ren), whether contact takes place outside or at an inside venue.
We also offer a transition from "Supervised" contact to "Supported" contact.
If a child’s welfare is compromised, I will intervene, otherwise; We will try our upmost to minimise any impact of someone shadowing you during your contact, to encourage your time with your child(ren) to be relaxed and enjoyable.
Parental and Parental/child Mediation & Conflict Resolution
Mediation & conflict resolution is used by families who wish to find a way forward in placing their child’s needs first, and to resolve their disagreements in order to be in a position of reaching a solution jointly, whilst being at the centre of the decision-making process, rather than using courts to decide.
Benefits of this process are:
- Parental/carer empowerment to agree arrangements.
- Working together to recognise and place their child(ren) needs first.
- Develop effect ways to communicate moving forward, to better co-parent.
- Resolutions can be reached with less conflict and far quicker, than waiting for court availability.
- Considerably fewer financial cost/commitments.
Child Life Story Work – Preparation for child contact with an absent parent
Life story work for children as a concept, dates back to the early ‘80s and has long established roots, in preparation and therapy work.
A child losing contact with a parent can be traumatic, and have long lasting consequences.
Research informs us that, for a child(ren) who are able to access safely both parents, and form positive relationships with each, are considered generally, positive and beneficial for the child(ren).
Life story work, works alongside the child at their pace, exploring feelings they have around establishing contact with the absent parent. This work is caried out using a variety of approaches/activities such as games, drawing, talking, and work sheets etc.
During these sessions the work seeks to understand the child’s perspective in meeting and forming a relationship with the absent parent, whilst exploring, identifying, and working through any potential anxieties, concerns, and scenarios they may hold, whilst developing strategies and building confidence, to ensure the child is prepared for contact.
It is also an opportunity for the child to have an understanding of why the parent has been absent (child friendly, age/understanding appropriate,
factual version)
Managing Director - Stephen Spooner
I am a professional youth and family worker (B A Hons) with over 25 years’ experience of working with children and families. I currently work in Children’s Services for the Local Authority, and have done for the past 11 years. I hold an enhanced D.B.S. I offer supervised contact, parental mediation and conflict resolution (concerning arrangements for children) and children’s life story work (preparing for contact with absent parent) through a private company service, which is separate from my work with the Local Authority.