The need for this service was identified by The Hartcliffe & Withywood Teenage Parents Project, due to family breakdowns experienced by project users including 16-19 year olds. Development of this new service commenced in 2007, leading to the launch on March 08 officially opened by Her Honor Susan Judge Darwell-Smith DL. Attendees at the opening ceremony included: Sir Jay Tidmarsh, Deana Stone coordinator, Volunteers Barristers, Solicitors, Mothers Union representative, Cafcass Officers.

The Project trained 10 young parents to enable them to work as volunteers within the centre in the following courses:

  • First Aid
  • Food and Hygiene
  • Child Protection
  • Domestic Violence
  • Training with the National Association of Child Contact Center

All our staff members and volunteers are CRB checked through The National Association of Child Contact Centre. All staff adheres to the policies and procedures of the child contact centre and we have a NVQ Level 3 Child Development Officer who support the families through play. Mothers’ Union representatives attend all sessions on a monthly Rota basis giving diversity of lives experience to all families that attend.

Service Provision

We provide a neutral meeting place which is independent of the courts, social services or any other statutory agency. This allows Supported Child Contact in a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members. We are a child-centered environment and provide toys, games and facilities that reflect the diverse needs of the children affected by family breakdown. This leads to non-resident parents and their children forming positive bonds with each other.

We promote equal opportunities for all families who use our centre, respect individual needs, celebrate diversity, respect confidentiality, and all staff members are impartial, caring, tolerant, sensitive, flexible, discreet and reliable at all times. They always put the needs of the children first and do not take sides with either parent or any other adults involved in the contact.

Opening times of our centre as follows:

Every Saturday

  • 9am – 10am Prepare Centre before Children arrive.
  • 10am -12pm First session for up to five families
  • 12pm - 2pm Second session for up to five families

Our centre has supported over 70 families since opening, and to date is currently supporting 20. Referrals are made from a wide variety of solicitors including

  • Watkins Solicitors
  • Foster and Par tners
  • LHP Law Solicitors and Advocates
  • Kirby Simcox Solicitors
  • WARDS Solicitors
  • Barcan Woodward Solicitors
  • Battrick Clark Solicitors
  • Bobbetts Mackan Solicitors and Advocates
  • Chappell Pascoe Solicitors
  • Lyons Davidson Solicitors
  • David Burrows Solicitors
  • Rupert Bear Murray Davis Solicitors
  • CAFCASS

We do our upmost to ensure all family members have positive experiences here at our centre. We have been successfully operating for over two years, leading to our service being accredited by: The National Association of Children Contact Centre’s in 2009

If you require fur ther information about this service please contact the Co-ordinator- Deana Stone on 0117 9646741.