Supervised child contact is an arrangement in which a child spends time with a parent or another family member while an appointed supervisor is present. The supervisor’s role is to support safe contact, observe interactions and respond to concerns in accordance with the agreed contact plan.

Supervised contact may be appropriate where additional support, reassurance or safeguarding measures are needed to help a child maintain a relationship with a family member.

Our service is intended to support families who require supervised contact arrangements. We welcome enquiries from parents, grandparents and other family members, as well as referrals from local authorities, social workers, Cafcass, solicitors and other relevant professionals.

Every referral is considered individually to determine whether our service is suitable for the child’s needs and the circumstances of the family.

Not necessarily. Some families arrange supervised contact privately by mutual agreement, without court proceedings.

However, where a court order exists, its terms must be reviewed and followed. We will need to understand any relevant legal restrictions before confirming arrangements.

If the adults disagree about contact or there are significant safeguarding concerns, independent legal advice may be appropriate.

You can contact us directly to discuss your requirements or complete the appropriate referral form on our website.

We offer separate referral routes for:

• Private families: Parents and family members seeking contact supervision.
• Professionals: Local authorities, social workers, solicitors, Cafcass and other practitioners referring a family.

Once we receive your enquiry, we will review the information provided and explain any additional information or assessments required.

Depending on the family’s circumstances and the outcome of our suitability assessment, contact may take place in an agreed community setting or another suitable location.

Possible community venues include parks, playgrounds, cafés, libraries, museums and family-friendly leisure facilities.

All proposed locations must be assessed and agreed in advance. The suitability of a venue will depend on the child’s needs, the risks identified and the level of supervision required.

The duration of each session will depend on the child’s age and needs, the family’s circumstances, the agreed contact plan and the availability of the service.

During the referral process, we will discuss the requested frequency and duration of contact and confirm what arrangements can be offered.

Where possible and appropriate, we aim to provide consistency in supervision. Having a familiar supervisor may help a child feel more comfortable and settled.

However, the allocation of supervisors will depend on availability, suitability and the needs of the family. We will explain the arrangements before contact begins

The supervisor will follow the agreed contact plan and remain attentive to the child’s safety and wellbeing.

Depending on the circumstances, a session may involve playing, reading, talking, sharing refreshments or participating in suitable activities.

The supervisor may offer practical support to encourage positive interaction while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries. Any specific instructions or restrictions will be agreed before the session.

Children may experience a range of emotions before or during contact. We aim to respond sensitively, taking account of the child’s age, communication needs, wishes and feelings.

The supervisor will seek to understand the child’s distress and support their immediate wellbeing. Contact will not be forced simply to complete a session.

Where concerns arise, the supervisor may pause or end the session in accordance with the agreed safety arrangements and will communicate relevant concerns through the appropriate channels.

The child’s welfare is our priority. Before accepting a referral, we will consider the available information, relevant legal restrictions and any identified risks.

If a concern arises during contact, the supervisor will take appropriate action to protect the child and anyone else affected. This may include pausing or ending the session and contacting relevant professionals or emergency services where necessary.

We may decline, suspend or discontinue arrangements if the risks cannot be managed safely.

Written observations or reports may be available depending on the service agreed.

The purpose, format and intended recipient of any report will be discussed before contact begins. Reports will aim to record relevant observations accurately and objectively, rather than make unsupported conclusions about a parent’s overall parenting ability.

Formal assessments, expert opinions and court attendance are not automatically included and may require separate arrangements.

We handle personal information in accordance with our privacy notice and applicable UK data protection legislation.

Information is shared only where there is an appropriate lawful basis, which may include safeguarding a child or another person, meeting legal obligations or providing the agreed service.

Confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information must lawfully be disclosed or shared to address a safeguarding concern.

Fees depend on the type of service, session duration, location, travel requirements and any additional services requested.

We will explain the applicable charges before confirming a booking. Additional costs may apply for venue admission, activities, transport, written reports or other agreed services.

Please contact us for our current fee schedule.

We understand that unexpected circumstances can arise. If you need to cancel or change an appointment, please contact us as soon as possible.

Our cancellation policy, including any applicable fees and notice periods, will be provided before sessions are booked.

Any proposed changes must be agreed with the service and must remain consistent with the child’s welfare and any applicable court order.

Yes. Grandparents and other family members can enquire about supervised contact.

We will consider the relationship with the child, the circumstances of the request, any relevant legal restrictions and the child’s needs before determining whether we can offer an appropriate service.

Yes. We welcome enquiries from professionals seeking contact supervision for children and families.

Please complete our professional referral form and provide relevant information about the child, the proposed arrangements, safeguarding concerns and any applicable court orders.

Acceptance is subject to our referral assessment, suitability, capacity and ability to manage the identified risks safely.

The timescale depends on the completeness of the referral, the information required to assess suitability, the availability of supervisors and the proposed contact arrangements.

We will explain any outstanding requirements and discuss possible dates once the necessary assessments and arrangements have been completed. We cannot guarantee a start date before the referral has been assessed.

Peaceful Unit Contact Service provides contact supervision and does not determine parental disputes or decide whether contact should legally take place.

Where the adults disagree, we will consider whether the arrangements can proceed safely and appropriately. We may require further information, clarification of legal arrangements or professional advice before accepting or continuing a referral.

Families may wish to seek independent legal advice or explore appropriate family dispute resolution options.

Contact arrangements may be reviewed as the child’s needs and circumstances change.

Any changes to the frequency, duration, location or level of supervision must be assessed and agreed with the relevant parties. Where a court order applies, arrangements must remain consistent with its terms unless lawfully varied.

A positive session does not automatically mean that supervision can be reduced or removed.

If you are considering supervised contact for your family or making a professional referral, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your circumstances.

Our team can explain the referral process, available services, fees and information required before contact can begin.