Child Contact Centres in Scotland, 24/03/04 [S]

This Research Findings paper draws together the key results from two recent Scottish Executive funded research projects on Scottish Child Contact Centres. The first study aimed to describe the characteristics of families using contact centres and the role of staff working in the centres. The second study aimed to elicit the expectations and experiences of key stakeholder groups (including parents) involved with Scottish Child Contact Centres.




Main Findings

• The majority of families using the Scottish child contact centres had children aged between 0-10 years. Resident parents were commonly female, and contact parents usually male. There were a small number of adults with a non-parental relationship with the child using these centres.


• Small numbers of both resident and contact parents were alleged (by staff) to have difficulties with alcohol use, drug use or their mental health at any juncture. However, large proportions of centre staff had experience of dealing with these problems over time.


• Families were most commonly referred to contact centres by solicitors or the courts. Three-quarters of this contact takes place within the confines of the centre.


• Both paid and voluntary staff had a wide range of relevant experience to bring to centre work. The majority of staff were women aged 45 years and over. Most had received some form of training. The median length of service was 3.5 and 4 years for volunteers and paid workers respectively.


• Overall, parents were generally satisfied with the service provided by contact centres. However, there was some confusion over the role and level of supervision provided. In particular, around the terms 'supervised contact' and 'supported contact'. Solicitors' and sheriffs' understanding of the form of supervision provided by centres also varied widely.


• Contact centres were not viewed as a first option for referrers. Parental agreement on some form of unsupported contact was considered to be the most desirable outcome. Rather they were perceived as a 'useful tool' available to sheriffs, solicitors or mediators.


• Expectations of key stakeholders were not always matched by their experiences. Parents, referrers and staff identified a number of steps that could be taken to improve the service and reduce anxiety. These included raising awareness of what the service can offer, clarifying the role and level of supervision provided and improving facilities for older children.


• 'Outcomes' for contact centres and their users are difficult to measure. The complexity of some cases means that a move to informal contact outwith the centre should not be the sole measure of success.

Background
The first child contact centres were opened in Scotland in 1988. Family Mediation Lothian and One Parent Families Scotland were the first to provide the service. Since then there has been an expansion in the number of centres. At the outset of the Study 1 there were 26 centres operating in Scotland. They are described by the Scottish Network of Child Contact Centres as:

'""neutral, safe and welcoming venues, which exist to promote and support regular contact between parents and children who no longer live together. Ultimately the goal of a contact centre is to protect children from parental conflict so that the time parents and children do spend together is not spoiled by the display of hostile feelings between parents"".3

There is no single model of a contact centre. However, the Scottish Network (which centres affiliate to) states that they:

• Are child centred


• Supportive of the principles of continued parenting following divorce / separation in the Children (Scotland) Act 1995


• Do not provide written reports to courts or other public agencies


• Do not provide statutory supervised contact

Two main forms of contact are provided - contact within the centres and facilities for exchange or handover for contact outwith the centre.

Further information
For further copies of this Research Findings or enquiries about social research, please contact:
Scottish Executive Social Research
4th Floor West Rear
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
EDINBURGH
EH1 3DG
Tel: 0131 244-2256
Fax: 0131 244-5393
Email: socialresearch@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk/socialresearch

If you wish a copy of Scottish Child Contact Centres: Characteristics of Centre Users and Centre Staff and Building Bridges? Expectations and Experiences of Child Contact Centres in Scotland the research reports which are summarised in this research findings, please send a cheque for £5.00 made payable to:

The Stationery Office Bookshop
71 Lothian Road
Edinburgh
EH3 9AZ
Tel: 0870 606 5566
Fax: 0870 606 5588

The research findings and Scottish Child Contact Centres: Characteristics of Centre Users and Centre Staff are available on the Scottish Executive website.

Further Information

1. Scottish Child Contact Centres: Characteristics of Centre Users and Centre Staff
2. Child Contact Centres in Scotland Research Finding No42

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