The role of Supervised Children contact centres (SCCC) are necessary in forming a space where children feel safe and supported to reconnect with non-residential parents. These centres assist in strengthening the child's relationship with the estranged parent and facilitate a healthier relationship despite the challenging circumstances that give rise to the necessity of supervised contact. These centres may be effective depending on the attitudes and age of the child and the behaviours of the parent engaging in the service. SCCC are unlikely to meet the best interests of the child in every scenario. The role of SCCC’s is to ‘bridge the gap’ and aid the transition of the non-residential parent back into the child’s life in a safe and supervised way.However, SCCC’s may sometimes be viewed as a way to gain more evidence against a parent in court and can be a means to coerce children or other parents.Courts frequently request reports from SCC’s regarding observations of a parents behaviour and relationship with the child which can cause tension and are highly influential. SCCCs can therefore be an artificial environment where parents can display certain positive behaviours to look good to the staff in order for reports in their favour to be used in court. This may be unrealistic, and children may not want to engage in SCCC’s.Show Notes:https://www.betterplaceaustralia.com.au/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwiOy1BhDCARIsADGvQnBCCyjg_Hz4bJxE4Ivr2CHpwPgB6Nh--o9TQ9_NlpyaQ_cSgMl0hQaAgcFEALw_wcB https://aifs.gov.au/resources/policy-and-practice-papers/childrens-contact-services#:~:text=Children's%20Contact%20Services%20(CCSs)%20are,their%20own%20parenting%20time%20arrangements. https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/cfca35-childrens-contact-services_0.pdfSheehan, G., Carson, R., Fehlberg, B., Hunter, R., Tomison, A., Ip, R., & Dewar, J. (2005). Children's contact services: Expectations and experience. Final report. Canberra: Attorney-General's Department.Fitzgerald, R., & Graham, A. (2011). "Something amazing I guess": Children's views on having a say about supervised contact. Australian Social Work, 64(4), 487-501.Best Interests Children’s Law Podcast is sponsored by Ex Curia: Coaching & Consulting Pty Ltd, Meliora Psychology and Claudia Grimberg Lawyers.Got questions, comments, compliments or something to add to the discussion? We'd love to hear from you on our website.

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