1. National Association of Child Contact Centres Can contact work after domestic violence? Yvonne Kee Chief Executive

2. Overview The role of Child Contact Centres in re-establishing contact Barriers & problems for fathers post separation, where history of domestic abuse

3. Child Contact Centres Safe, friendly and neutral places 350 Supported & Supervised 20,000 children, 13,000 families Disparate spread

4. Supervised Child Contact Centres Where risk of harm identified Focus on physical safety & emotional well- being of child(ren) Individual supervision, observation & recording Continuum redefined & developing: indirect; escorted; life story/identity contact; DV related, contact activities

5. Promoting safe child contact within a national framework of Child Contact Centres  Child-centred  Ensuring safety  Independent and impartial  Respecting individuals, preserving confidentiality  Promoting equality, celebrating diversity  Valuing and supporting voluntary service

6. BUT… the barriers Too few supervised centres Inappropriate referrals Cost for parents Sustainability Unwillingness on part of non resident parent to use CCC Perceived risk by resident parent where DV and other factors

7. How real is the risk? ‘Inappropriate & potentially dangerous to give the message… that it is beneficial to maintain contact. This is not true. In many cases… highly dangerous’ (DVIP) ‘In a number of … families there had been violent incidents in the past, precipitating or surrounding the separation, but there was no current perception of risk.’

8. Diametrically opposed? Fathers’ groups Women’s groups

9. Other perspectives Legislation CAFCASS/CAFCASS CYMRU Initiatives Research Other organisations Judiciary

10. Lord Justice Wall ‘ It is not possible at one & the same time to be guilty of serious violence to your partner & to hold yourself out as a good parent – this will no longer wash’ Call for cultural change of approach from Contact is always the best way forward to CONTACT THAT IS SAFE & POSITIVE IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY FORWARD

11. Nothing stands still While a few fathers, like a few mothers, are best kept away from their offspring, most can be assets… in some ways. Fatherhood is often seen as ‘fixed’, with fathers categorized as goodies or baddies, & little recognition given to the fact that fathering, like mothering, can be good or bad in parts & can change over time… Another reason for engaging with fathers, including those who are seriously problematic, is that simply removing themfrom their families does not wipe them off the face of the earth.’

12. Accreditation & re-accreditation National Standards Enhanced standards Training & support CCCs & Quality- for the best chance

13. The vision Availability & sustainability Accessibility Appropriate referrals Quality Infrastructure support The ideal

14. OOPS!

15. Affirmation ‘ Dad must have missed me too because he went to a solicitor who arranged for us to meet at a CCC. We have been meeting there for 6 months & I always look forward to Saturday afternoons’ ‘Your service has made a difference in both Megan’s life & mine. We are at present undertaking contact at my home. We have a wonderful, loving relationship. You have enabled that to happen’ ‘He has now had the opportunity to receive the love he deserves from my family… the CCC is wholly valuable’

16. Places of meeting & reconnecting for badly broken families Places for the renewing of trust & the healing of hurt Places of hope, and places of love We don’t experience these things all of the time… a longing that there should be, in … a longing that there should be, in our fractured communities:

17. Can contact work after domestic violence?