Can I see my child while they are in care?

We will always promote contact with your child, as our aim is, if possible, to reunite families when and where appropriate.  However, we will only promote contact if we believe it is in your child's best interests.  In some cases this contact may need to be supervised so that we can make sure that it is safe and enjoyable for both you and your child.

Why is contact with my child being supervised?

There are two reasons your contact may be supervised:

1. If we need to do an assessment on your relationship with your child someone may be present at your contact visits.
2. If we believe that the best way to make sure you and your child have a safe and enjoyable visit is to have someone else present, your contact visits may be supervised.

Who will be at our contact visit if it is supervised?

If we believe that your contact visits need to be supervised a Social Worker and/or Assistant Social Worker will be present.

Where will the contact visit take place?

The contact visits may take place at:

1. A neutral setting
2. Your home
3. A foster home

We will discuss with you the best place for the contact visits to happen.

How often will contact visits take place, and for how long?

This will vary, and will be set in the child's Care Plan.  It will depend on the child's best interests and on the families individual circumstances.

Are there any rules?

We will set some rules that are aimed to ensure that during contact the child or young person is safe, both physically and emotionally, and will be a positive experience for both the child and parent.  These rules will vary and will be explained to you by a Social Worker before the contact visits.

Are records kept of our contact visits?

Yes.  We will keep records of your contact visits so that we can keep track of the progress that is being made in your family.

My child is in care, am I involved in the LAC Review?

Yes.  You will be involved either by attending, if appropriate, or by completing a consultation document or by discussing the content of the LAC Review with your child's Social Worker.