What is supervised contact? Supervised contact is when a child spends time with a parent or family member under the observation of a qualified contact supervisor. It is usually ordered by a family court when there are concerns about the safety or welfare of the child during contact. The supervisor ensures the session runs safely and produces a written report afterwards.
Who orders supervised contact? Supervised contact is most commonly ordered by a family court judge or magistrate as part of child arrangement proceedings. It can also be arranged privately between parties, without a court order, if both sides agree that supervision is appropriate.
How do I make a referral to New Leaf Family Services? You can make a referral by completing our online referral form, calling us on 07523 725125, or emailing info@nlfs.org.uk. We accept referrals from solicitors, CAFCASS, local authorities, social workers, and parents. We aim to respond to all referrals within 24 hours on working days.
Where does supervised contact take place? Unlike traditional contact centres, New Leaf conducts supervised contact in community settings — parks, leisure centres, soft play areas, bowling alleys, cafes, and other agreed venues. This makes the experience more natural and enjoyable for children and parents.
Do you cover my area? We operate nationwide across England and Wales. Our supervisors travel to you, so even if you are in a more rural area, please contact us and we will do our best to help. We currently support families across 35+ local authority areas.
How much does supervised contact cost? Our fees are tailored to the individual case and depend on factors such as the duration of contact, travel requirements, and frequency of sessions. We pride ourselves on being affordable and transparent with our pricing. Please call or email us for a quote.
What qualifications do your supervisors hold? All New Leaf supervisors hold a minimum of NVQ Level 3 in Children and Young People’s Workforce or equivalent. They are all fully DBS checked and trained in safeguarding, child-centred practice, and contact supervision report writing.
How quickly can you arrange supervised contact? We understand that families cannot always wait. We aim to arrange supervised contact at short notice wherever possible. In many cases we can have arrangements in place within days of receiving a referral. Contact us to discuss your timeline.
What is included in a contact supervision report? Our reports include observations of the child’s behaviour, the quality of interactions between child and parent, any incidents or concerns, the overall quality of the contact session, and recommendations for future arrangements. Reports are provided in a timely manner following each session.
Can contact move from supervised to unsupervised? Yes. One of the goals of supervised contact is to support families in progressing towards unsupervised or overnight contact. Our reports give courts and local authorities the evidence they need to make those decisions. Many of our families have successfully transitioned to less restrictive arrangements.
What is the difference between supervised and supported contact? Supervised contact involves a supervisor actively observing and monitoring all interactions throughout the session. Supported contact involves a supervisor being present but taking a less active role — providing a safety net while giving the family more independence.
Do you work with solicitors and CAFCASS? Yes. We work closely with family law solicitors, CAFCASS officers, social workers, and local authorities throughout the contact process. We are happy to liaise directly with your legal team and provide reports in the format required by the court.