Pyramids Supervised Contact Service (Private Law)
Our purpose built contact centre offers supervised contact to benefit children aged between 0 and 18 years (including those having special needs) where parents are in dispute and seeking a way forward.
Supervised contact is appropriate where there are concerns during proceedings about a child’s well-being and safety during contact. Supervised contact involves having a professional worker remain with the child(ren) constantly observing interactions and ensuring the child’s safety and well being at all times. At least one worker is present throughout the contact session.
It is available for limited periods as part of a programme which has as its objective, progress towards less restrictive contact arrangements. It is intended that supervised contact should take place over three, or in exceptional circumstances, six months with a review hearing fixed.
We are accredited to the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC).
The Pyramids Contact Service is available throughout the week and weekends.
Staggered arrival and departure times are arranged to avoid unplanned meetings between parties as appropriate.
Children are escorted to and from contact and handed over to the respective parent/carer.
Separate waiting areas are available for parents/carers that want to avoid contact with each other.
Each family has access to a pleasant child friendly room with age appropriate toys as well as access to a kitchen area, where simple meals and cooking activities can take place.
The service ensures that contact takes place in a way that is safe for everyone concerned, and aims to assist court procedings in making an assessment.
Transport may be included in this provision.
We can accept referrals from solicitors, family mediators. CAFCASS, social workers or families direct.
It is available for limited periods as part of a programme which has, as its objective, progress towards less restrictive contact arrangements. It is intended that supervised contact should take place over three, or in exceptional circumstances, six months with a review hearing fixed.
Parents must agree to Pyramids ‘Terms and Conditions of Use’ before contact takes place.
All workers have been cleared by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and have both relevant experience and training.
Contact Venue
The Pyramids Contact Service is situated at 7 Melbourne Avenue, March, Cambs, PE15 0EN using our own purpose built facility offering 4 contact rooms and a garden. Available 7 days a week. Hire of our own contact rooms will be included in the hourly rate.
Where appropriate, contact can also take place in the community. (Note: All parties will need to agree the type of activity and location and be willing to contribute to any risk assessment Pyramids may undertake before community cased contact can go ahead).
We have staff located in Cambridgeshire/Peterborough, Bedfordshire and West Norfolk who may be able to provide supervised contact at other venues. This may be preferable where our existing venue is not within easy reach of those participating in contact, and may reduce the need for travel or use of public transport eg:
Community venue/room - room hire cost to be met by the referrer.
Community based/activity - location to be agreed and cost met by the referrer.
Reporting
A Level 1 or 2 report (as requested) will be produced by a suitably trained and experienced person, and sent to all parties after each contact session. The information covered within reports will include:
Who attended and were they punctual
· Anyone who turned up who was not expected
· How the adult(s) greeted the child(ren) and what was the response
· Activities, behaviour, attitudes and interactions
· Notable incidents and events
· Behaviour, attitudes and interactions relating to an identified focus of the contact
· How the adult(s) and child(ren) behaved at the end of the contact and departure
· Issues arising
· General impressions, both positive and negative
· Ideas for change or issues to be addressed
· Children’s feelings (if known)
· Adult’s feelings (if known)
A Level 1 report is suited to cases where observations only are required, and enables other professionals or individuals to make decisions as to how contact may continue in the future and issues are resolved.
A Level 2 (or Summary Report) report provides more in depth observation/assessment, records discussions with parents/carers aiming to address/resolve issues, and will include recommendation as to how contact may continue in the future.
Pyramids have access to a range of professionals who can provide more in depth reports or assessments if ordered by the Court – Level 3 report. Details and fees charged are available from Pyramids upon request. Alternatively, if arranged in advance, Pyramids can accommodate a preferred expert of the courts choosing.
Any concerns arising from the contact will be raised with the referrer/other parties as appropriate as soon as possible after the event. Matters where the safety and well being of the child(ren) are at significant risk will be dealt with immediately in accordance with our Child Protection Policy and Procedures.
Charges
A referral fee of £65.00 inc VAT is charged in all cases and must be received by BDP Social Care Ltd before a referral can be considered. This fee covers the cost of assessments and coordination so as to ensure the service is appropriate for the family, and is non-refundable.
There is a charge of £42.00 inc VAT per hour for supervised contact held at Pyramids Contact Centre in March. The cost of other venues (see community based venues) may vary and will be passed on to the referrer.
Report charges:
Level 1 Report £26.25
Level 2 Report or Summary Report £52.50
Level 3 Report Negotiated with referrer
It is the responsibility of the referring agent to ensure payment matters have been discussed and agreed prior to requesting any supervised contact sessions. The referring agent must also ensure prompt payment is made on receipt of any invoice.
The Legal Services Commission may meet the costs of supervised contact attributable to a party publicly funded if the supervised contact and subsequent report will be used as part of an assessment in on-going proceedings. Judges are advised that orders for supervised contact should normally be for a limited period, three months or in exceptional cases, 6 months with a review hearing fixed. Suggested wording for a contact order could be “(adult’s name) shall have supervised contact with (child(ren)’s name) at Pyramids Contact Centre for (state number) sessions of (state length of each session) beginning on (date) every (week/fortnight/month) for the purposes of an assessment of contact”. Please note: if an interpreter is required this should be included on the contact order.
Self referrals are subject to the charges stated above and can be accepted if both parties agree to the contact.
How to apply
Telephone enquires are invited:
Monday – Friday between 9.00am and 5.00pm: 01354 655105
Informal/out of hours enquiries may be directed to:
Lesley Dahle - 07775 614099
Rooms may be limited so it is recommended that Pyramids is telephoned in the first instance to find out when supervised contact can be offered.
Referrals must be in writing on a completed Pyramids referral form. Referrals will not be processed until the registration fee is received.
Pyramids can also be contacted by email admin1@bainanddahle.co.uk.
Please note that a full assessment must be undertaken to inform any risk assessment before contact can take place. It is therefore unlikely that contact can take place within a week of a referral being received.
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