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Blackburn Diocese offers two levels of Child Contact Services in order to assist families in maintaining contact between children and parents who are separating and cannot make their own arrangements for children to spend time with their non resident parent.
Supervised Contact is arranged through Grassroots Supervised Child Contact Service and Supported Contact takes place at Mill Hill Early Years Centre in Blackburn.
It is important to recognise the difference in provision, both projects are accredited by the National Association of Child Contact Centres ( NACCC) who give the following definitions-
Supervised Contact is usually for one family at a time and the contact is closely monitored by staff who will intervene to stop contact if necessary and will provide a report to Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advice and Support Service) or Family Court solicitor.
Supported Contact takes place in a venue with a few families attending at the same time, staff are there to facilitate play and interaction but only intervene if there are concerns about a child`s safety. Reports are not provided.
Grassroots Supervised Child Contact Service
We accept referrals from Cafcass and also self referrals - for which a fee is charged. We use venues around East Lancashire in order to have contact as near to a childs home as possible.
Blackburn Supported Child Contact Centre
What we do
We can assist in any general situation where a couple are experiencing divorce or separation and need a neutral place for child contact between resident and non resident parents or relatives.
Our aims
We aim to establish a place with an informal atmosphere, where children can enjoy meeting their contact parent (the one with whom they do not live) and so keep in touch with both parents after marital relationship breakdown, to minimise emotional damage.
Our Values
At Blackburn Supported Contact Centre (SCC) we believe in bringing children and families together, in a neutral and safe environment. We ensure that the needs of the child are met and we aim to make their time during contact safe, pleasurable and positive.
Our volunteers are drawn from a range of faith and cultural backgrounds to represent our diverse communities. We are a Christian based organisation offering a service to all. Our services are positively used by the diverse community of Blackburn and Darwen who value our approach to assisting parents.
Our coordinator has some years experience of working with members of the different faiths. He has experience of working with difficulties in family relationships and approaches the work with sensitivity to the issues of separation and divorce. He embraces a holistic approach in the context of the many different family, faith and culture backgrounds of people who use the centre.
How to access the service?
The Centre takes self referrals from couples and from: GP’s, Health visitors, Teachers, Solicitors the Courts, and direct from Cafcass.
Why use a Child Contact Centre?
Separating parents are not always able to trust each other enough to agree arrangements for their child (ren) to meet the parent they don’t live with (called contact). There may be anger or anxiety which makes the prospect of contact really difficult.
A Child Contact Centre is primarily for children rather than their parents; it is impartial and provides a child friendly place which has a relaxing atmosphere and gradually with repeated attendances, a child (ren) can establish or re-establish a relationship with their contact parent. As the parents build up trust and confidence in the arrangements, they often come to a stage where they are able to make their own arrangements with out needing to come to the Child Contact Centre any more.
How does it work?
On Saturdays, our trained volunteers staff the Family Centre at Mill Hill so that 'contact' can occur. They aren’t observing every move parents make but stay in the background.
What a our child contact centre is not
- It is not a crèche – a parent must be there all the time
- It does not take sides
How do we set up contact ?
Once a family is referred we will arrange a ‘pre contact’ interview for each parent. This is a chance for the family members and the child (ren) to come and look around the Centre, meet the coordinator and raise any questions or queries. We have an extensive range of policies in place to support the service including; domestic violence, alcohol and drug misuse etc.
Where ?
We operate on Saturdays from 10 am to 12 noon, 50 weeks of the year at the Mill Hill centre in Blackburn.
We aim to create a home setting as much as possible in the centre. The Centre contains one main play room, fully furnished with tables, desks, and a wide range of toys for all children age 0 to 9 years.
You can find a map link to our centre here.
The centre
Mill Hill early years centre adjoinsMill Hill community centre. Itworks in partnership with Hancock Street children's centre and Livesey children's and all age centreto provide the full range of services and activities to local families which includes.
- childcare and education
- health services
- family support training,
- advice and guidance
The childrens contact service is part of the wider community support from families and children living in Blackburn and Darwen.
How long do we provide contact for ?
Supported Contact initially usually consists of between six or twelve one or two hour sessions which can be weekly or fortnightly. The contact centre can be used for 3 months or longer however we will encourage parents to look at longer term plans including direct arrangements for contact handovers where appropriate and after 6 months at the centre.
Do we assist during contact?
With ‘supported contact’ volunteers and staff are present but will not intervene in the contact unless invited; they can assist when asked by either parent or a child.
Times and arrival for parents
At the Centre we ask the non-resident family member to arrive at the Centre ten minutes before the resident family member and the child (ren), but other arrangements can be made. Staff will then take the child (ren) to their non-resident family member(s). We can when required also provide for contact for grandparents.
Review and moving on
Every 8 to 12 weeks we will review how the sessions are going with both parents and carers. The staff at the Centre do not write reports for Court however they will provide information on attendance at the centre on request for solicitors, courts and parents and this can include times of arrival and departure and any matters both parents wish to include. Get Involved - Be a Volunteer Our services depend on the support of volunteers. We actively encourage Christians and members of all Faith communities to join us in our work.
Would you like to:
- Make new friends
- Make a difference
- Be part of a team
- Learn new skills
Could you:
- Attend regular training sessions
- Respect confidences
- Welcome children and parents
- Give time on a Saturday every 5-8 weeks
- Be impartial
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer please contact the Centre Co-Ordinator on 01254 503070
If you have any further questions or queries please do not hesitate to contact:
Philip A Bannister Supported Contact Co-ordinator
Mill Hill Contact Centre is provided funded by Blackburn with Darwen Council 
and provided by The Diocese of Blackburn Board of Social Responsibility – Grassroots
philip.bannister@blackburn.anglican.org
St Marys House Cathedral Close Blackburn BB1 5AA Tel: 01254 503070 (office).
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