What service do I need?
This will depend on a number of factors
- what has been ordered by the Court
- what service we are willing to offer following your initial meeting, subject to our risk assessment
- what is in the best interests of your child/ren
How do I make a referral?
You will need to complete our referral form, available from our download button, and pay our non-refundable referral fee of £100. We will not proceed with any referral until both of these are received.
What happens next?
Separate initial meetings will be arranged with both parties upon receipt of the referral form and fee. While we endeavour to offer a date within two weeks of receipt, this is subject to both party’s availability and our own.
Do we accept all referrals?
No. Following completion of initial meetings, we will make a decision as to whether we are able to offer a service. We use the guidelines issued by the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC), in order to make such decisions, and there may be occasions when we are not able to offer a service, such as when there are on-going criminal investigations or pending safeguarding investigations by the Court. Should this be the case we will provide information to the parties as to why this decision is made.
How long will I have to wait before contact starts?
Following completion of initial meetings, during which we have been satisfied that it is appropriate to commence contact, we aim to arrange the first session at the first available opportunity, usually within four weeks. However this is dependent upon parent and child availability.
How much will it cost and who pays?
This is no longer a subsidised service and unfortunately we have to cover our costs. It needs to be mutually agreed by the parties as to who will cover the cost of using Families Forward. The price of our services are as follows:
- 1 hour Supervised Contact £75
- 2 hour Supervised Contact £130
- 1 hour Supported Contact £45
- 2 hour Supported Contact £70
- 1 way Handover £20
- 2 way Handover £40
- Indirect/Letterbox £20 per occasion plus postage
- 1 hour review meeting £50
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
No, we arrange staggered arrival and departure times.
How long do I have to use the service for?
That will depend on the Court and are also subject to our reviews of the work.
Will I get a written record of the sessions?
The provision of our supervised sessions include a copy of the written record to both parties. The provision of our supported sessions include a copy of attendance only. A record on handover will be provided on request. It is your responsibility to provide these notes to other professionals involved.
Who else can help me?
Please see our resources page
