Folks. I am legally separated from my wife and am on a SHPO. I have supervised contact with my 6 yo daughter every two weeks, for half a day. To date this has been funded and managed by Surrey Children's Services. Contact takes place in a local authority contact centre, though we are allowed to go out to the playground and to the town for lunch etc. The contact has been deemed by the Contact Supervisor and Children's Services to be highly beneficial to both my daughter and myself.
There is a CIN in place but this going to end very soon and Children's Services will be pulling out completely.
They now tell me that I have to make my own, privately funded, arrangements to see my daughter, but at the same time they know that my income is very low, being a pensioner. Originally a friend was going to assist the contact, but she is now unable to do so.
I have researched Independent Supervision and the cost is completely prohibitive as it equates to more than I actually live on a month. I'm distraught at the possibility of not being able to see my daughter again and she will be devastated. Children's Services don't seem to care (they have "budgets") but surely the ability for us to meet shouldn't be dependent on income.
Can anyone suggest what I might be able to do?
Thanks
Paying for Supervised Visits
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Suzie, FRG Adviser
- Posts: 4996
- Joined: Mon Jul 04, 2011 2:57 pm
Re: Paying for Supervised Visits
Dear Furry Ferret
Welcome to the parents’ discussion forum and thank you for your post.
My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. I see from your post that your daughter is currently under a child in need plan and this is due to end shortly. You are very concerned that once the plan comes to an end contact with your daughter will be difficult. Children’s services appear to be supporting contact because she is under the plan and maybe issues relating to contact was one if not the reason they became involved.
It is not clear from your post whether there is a court order in respect of your contact or the supervised contact is what has been agreed as part of the child in need plan. Unfortunately, children’s services are able to decide that they can no longer support contact if there is no direct involvement with the family. I understand that during the current period it will be difficult to get a third party to supervise contact. You may find it helpful to contact this organisation to find a service near you if you have not already done so.
Children services are not required to fund contact if they are not involved with the family. However, you could ask if they will exercise discretion to assist you in your circumstances. You all find it helpful to read our advice sheet Family support which relates to child in need and support.
If there is a court order, you could perhaps ask the court to consider making a family assistance order. This is an order that would require consent from all parties.
Alternatively, you might want to consider contact via Skype or such other medium until direct face to face contact can be organised once children’s services are no longer involved.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, advises families where there has been sexual offences, and may be able to assist you with information relating to contact. The telephone number is 0808 1000 900.
As you are on a low income you may be able to apply to a charity or benevolent fund for a grant or other help. This service may be able to assist in finding an appropriate charity.
If you would like further advice about going to court you can contact Child Law Advice on 0300 330 5480 as they advise on private law matters.
I hope this information is of help.
Best wishes
Suzie
Welcome to the parents’ discussion forum and thank you for your post.
My name is Suzie, online adviser at Family Rights Group. I see from your post that your daughter is currently under a child in need plan and this is due to end shortly. You are very concerned that once the plan comes to an end contact with your daughter will be difficult. Children’s services appear to be supporting contact because she is under the plan and maybe issues relating to contact was one if not the reason they became involved.
It is not clear from your post whether there is a court order in respect of your contact or the supervised contact is what has been agreed as part of the child in need plan. Unfortunately, children’s services are able to decide that they can no longer support contact if there is no direct involvement with the family. I understand that during the current period it will be difficult to get a third party to supervise contact. You may find it helpful to contact this organisation to find a service near you if you have not already done so.
Children services are not required to fund contact if they are not involved with the family. However, you could ask if they will exercise discretion to assist you in your circumstances. You all find it helpful to read our advice sheet Family support which relates to child in need and support.
If there is a court order, you could perhaps ask the court to consider making a family assistance order. This is an order that would require consent from all parties.
Alternatively, you might want to consider contact via Skype or such other medium until direct face to face contact can be organised once children’s services are no longer involved.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation, advises families where there has been sexual offences, and may be able to assist you with information relating to contact. The telephone number is 0808 1000 900.
As you are on a low income you may be able to apply to a charity or benevolent fund for a grant or other help. This service may be able to assist in finding an appropriate charity.
If you would like further advice about going to court you can contact Child Law Advice on 0300 330 5480 as they advise on private law matters.
I hope this information is of help.
Best wishes
Suzie
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