Child Contact Centres
Child contact centres are places where children living apart from a parent or other family member can spend time regularly with their mum or dad until other arrangements can be made. Children can also spend time at the centres with other family members - such as grandparents.
Child contact centres offer:
- A safe, child-friendly place for time together - a place where children can have time with a parent they no longer see every day.
- A warm and sociable atmosphere - there are toys and games for the children and space for sitting and talking to mum or dad as well as room for running around.
- Continued regular contact between a parent and child.
What's it like at our centres?
We have two centres, one in Halifax and one in Wakefield. Each opens twice a month on a Saturday. Contact sessions last for two hours.
Halifax
The Halifax centre is situated close to the town centre, within easy reach of public transport and with parking close by.
The environment is warm and friendly and there are lots of games, toys and puzzles to occupy children and parents together.
There is a separate area where the person who brings the child to the centre can sit and wait if they wish.
Wakefield
The Wakefield centre is located outside of the city centre. There is a well-served bus route from Wakefield which drops off close by; parking is available for anyone travelling by car.
The centre is a modern building specifically designed for use by children and families. Inside, it's bright and airy with lots of toys and activities, including drawing, colouring, games, books and a sand pit.
The centre has a good-sized, secure outdoor play area where children and parents can enjoy some fresh air on sunny days and there is also a large kitchen where refreshments are available.
We have a number of rooms where the person who brings the child to the centre can wait.
How can we get a place at one of the contact centres?
We can take referrals for families from a range of agencies including:
- Solicitors
- Courts
- Welfare Officers
- Social Workers
- Mediators
Before contact sessions start, we offer a visit to the centre for the child and each parent. These pre-visits are provided to answer any questions and ease any concerns for parents. A visit before contact starts also familiarises the child with the centre and helps them settle in.
Are There Any Charges?
We make a charge of £15 per session per family at both centres. This fee covers the cost of providing refreshments and buying new toys and games for the children to play with as well as the general running of the centre.
About Our staff?
Some of our staff are employees, others are volunteers. All are trained to standards set by the National Association of Child Contact Centres. (West Yorkshire Family Mediation Service is affiliated to the National Association of Child Contact Centres.)
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at one of our centres we'd be very pleased to hear from you.