Marymead Contact Program

About this Service

Marymead Contact Program is a place for the smooth changeover of children between their separated parents, and for supported, supervised contact for children and their non-residential parents.

The program is for separated families who are in conflict and have no other options for a mutually agreeable venue for changeovers or child-parent contact.

The program is an independent, impartial service which aims to be fair, friendly and practical. The Centre ensures that parents do not meet at changeover or at contact visits.

Staff aim to create a friendly and safe environment where parents and children can come and enjoy their time together.

There are two sub-programs:

1. Children's Contact Service

The program works with a focus of the needs and best interests of children. The program provides a safe environment for children to spend time with a non-resident parent or to move from parent to parent without being exposed to ongoing parental conflict. Parents using the service agree to certain conditions which ensure that they do not meet each other. A brochure is available for parents interested in using the program and for professionals who would like to refer clients to the program.

Who can use this service

There is a great demand for the services provided by the program.  Services will be offered to those most in need and priority given to families who find it hard to access other services.                                                  

The following criteria are considered:

• Both parents are willing to use the program and abide by the Centre's guidelines and individual service agreements.
• High need - other arrangements not working or not appropriate
• Children want to be in the program and will benefit from it
• Children are under 12, (unless with a younger sibling)
• Where domestic violence is an issue
• The child/children are not on child protection orders
• Current contact orders exist

Hours of Service/Location

The Centre is open

• 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday – Friday
• 9.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. Saturdays
• 3.00 – 6.00 p.m. Sundays

Supervised Contact visits can be arranged for up to 2 hours once a fortnight.

Changeovers can occur by arrangement within the above hours. 

We do not provide any services on public holidays.

The program operates from Narrabundah but supervised changeover can occur in Belconnen.

Fees

A small fee is charged to parents who use the service. Fees are charged for initial intake assessments, supervised contact visits and changeovers.

As part of remaining impartial in our work with parents, we ask both parents to pay for the use of the service.

This program is funded by the Australian Government Attorney-General's Department.

2. Supervised contact as requested by Child Protection agencies

Supervised contact is provided for children who are usually in foster care or living with a family member other than their parents.

This program is funded by ACT Office for Children, Youth and Family Support or NSW Department of Community Services on a fee for service basis.

Brochures

Contact and Change Over

Ways to help

Give a financial donation to support the program or children's toys that would be useful in the Centre

You can support the work of Marymead by asking to be put on our mailing list, which will keep you informed about our activities, including fundraising and volunteering.

How to contact us

For further information or feedback:

Phone: 02 6162 5800 (office hours)

Fax: 02 6295 9944

Email: contactservices@marymead.org.au