Family Mediation North East
Family Mediation North East
CONTACT CENTRES
CONTACT CENTRES
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
WELFARE BENEFITS
CONTACT CENTRES
At Pax Mediation, we understand the importance of providing a safe and neutral environment for families navigating disputes and challenging transitions. When direct handovers or visits between separated parents and children are not possible, contact centres offer a secure and supportive solution.
This page explains the role of contact centres in family mediation, how they work, and how our FMCA-accredited family mediators can assist in creating effective arrangements for child contact.
WHAT ARE CONTACT CENTRES?
Contact centres are neutral spaces designed to facilitate safe and supported interactions between children and parents or other family members. They are often used in situations where direct handovers are not feasible due to conflict, safeguarding concerns, or logistical challenges.
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Types of contact provided by contact centres include:
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Supervised Contact: A trained professional observes and supports interactions to ensure the child’s safety.
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Supported Contact: Staff are available to provide assistance if needed, but they do not observe interactions directly.
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Handover Services: Parents use the centre as a neutral location for handing over children between visits.
Contact centres provide a child-focused environment where interactions can take place in a way that prioritises the child’s well-being and security.
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Learn more about our child mediation services here.
HOW MEDIATION AND CONTACT CENTRES WORK TOGETHER
Mediation and contact centres often complement each other, especially in high-conflict situations or where safety is a concern. Here’s how they work together:
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1. Creating Contact Arrangements
Mediation helps parents agree on practical and child-centred arrangements, including:
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Frequency and duration of visits.
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Type of contact (supervised, supported, or handovers).
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Location and scheduling logistics.
2. Reducing Conflict
Using a contact centre as a neutral space can help reduce tensions and ensure smoother interactions, while mediation provides a platform for addressing underlying issues.
3. Supporting Long-Term Solutions
As trust improves, families may transition from supervised or supported contact to unsupervised arrangements, guided by mediation discussions.
Book your MIAM today to discuss contact arrangements.
WHEN ARE CONTACT CENTRES NEEDED?
Contact centres may be recommended in situations such as:
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High-conflict separations where direct communication is difficult.
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Safeguarding concerns requiring supervised visits.
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Re-establishing relationships between a child and a parent after a prolonged absence.
Our mediators work closely with families to assess whether a contact centre is the right option and guide them in creating sustainable parenting plans.
Discover more about creating parenting plans here.
BENEFITS OF USING CONTACT CENTRES
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Safe Environment. Contact centres ensure children feel secure and protected during visits or handovers.
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Reduced Conflict. Neutral spaces prevent direct interactions between parents, minimising tensions and stress.
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Professional Support. Trained staff are available to supervise or assist during visits, ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.
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Focus on the Child. By providing a child-friendly setting, contact centres help create positive and meaningful experiences for children.
Learn more about the benefits of mediation here.
FINDING THE RIGHT CONTACT CENTRE
There are many contact centres across the UK offering supervised, supported, and handover services. Here are some trusted resources to help you find a suitable centre:
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National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC). The NACCC provides a directory of accredited contact centres throughout the UK.
Find an NACCC-accredited contact centre here. -
Your Local Authority. Local authorities often have information on contact centres and services in your area.
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Citizens Advice. Offers advice on accessing contact centres and other family support services. Visit Citizens Advice here.
HOW LEGAL AID CAN HELP
If you are eligible for Legal Aid, you may be able to access mediation services at no cost. Legal Aid can cover:
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Initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs).
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Joint mediation sessions.
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Agreements that include provisions for using a contact centre.
Find out if you qualify for Legal Aid here.
WHY CHOOSE PAX MEDIATION?
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Experienced Mediators. All of our mediators are FMCA-accredited, ensuring the highest level of expertise and professionalism.
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Child-Focused Approach. We prioritise the needs and well-being of children in all discussions and agreements.
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Practical Solutions. Our mediators help families create sustainable, workable arrangements that suit their unique circumstances.
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Comprehensive Support. We provide guidance on accessing contact centres and other support services to ensure the best outcomes for your family.
Learn more about our child mediation services here.
“The mediator helped us agree on a schedule that worked for everyone, and the contact centre provided a safe and supportive environment for our visits.”
“Using a contact centre reduced the stress of handovers and allowed us to focus on rebuilding our relationship with our child.”
"Family mediation was a game-changer for us. It allowed us to communicate effectively and reach agreements without conflict. The contact centre was a lifeline, providing a neutral and supportive space for visits, which made the entire process less stressful for everyone involved, especially the children."
Get Started with Mediation and Contact Centres
If you’re considering using a contact centre or need help creating child contact arrangements, Pax Mediation is here to support you. Our experienced team can guide you through the process, ensuring your family’s needs are met every step of the way.
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Contact Us Today