Child Contact Centre

What is the Meeting Place?

It is somewhere where children of separated families can enjoy time with other family members (usually a parent but it can be grandparents or brothers and sisters) in a safe, comfortable, and neutral environment.

The meeting place aims to provide

• A warm and comfortable atmosphere for all the family
• Short term help and support
• A safe and caring environment where a parent or carer with whom the child lives can leave the child with total confidence
• A place of calm - without any family rows or arguments
• Time for families to relax and enjoy each others company

The Meeting Place offers 'supported contact' only. Supported Contact Centres are suitable for families when no significant risk to the child or those around the child has been identified. Staff/volunteers are available for assistance but there is no close observation, monitoring or evaluation of individual contacts/conversations.

How can I contact the Meeting Place? 

Referrals come from solicitors, CAFCASS, the Courts, Social Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Relate or other voluntary organisations, and from individual families.

To use The Meeting Place we need a referral either using the form available from the office - or telephone or email us.

We will then contact the family to arrange individual appointments for you to call in and see us in Westbourne Grove. These initial meeting are nothing to worry about, it is just a good opportunity to come and look around The Meeting Place and find out what happens - and make sure we can provide what is needed.

A book relevant to the child's age will be given out to help explain the visit and The Meeting Place.

About 7 to 10 days after our initial meeting we would normally be able to set up the first contact session.

When is it open? 

The Meeting Place is open for child contact sessions on Wednesdays and Fridays between 11.00am and 5.00pm, and on Saturdays between 10.00am and 5.00pm. The office (01723 377388) is open weekdays 9.30am to 5.00pm.

Who else is involved? 

The Meeting Place - Child Contact Centre is a service provided by Scarborough and District Mediation Services and is independent of the courts, social service or CAFCASS. We cannot make reports or comments about what happens here unless someone is harmed, or at risk of harm. We can confirm your attendance at the centre but only to relevant people. The Meeting Place is neutral and confidential.

Our staff are specifically trained to work in Child Contact Centres and some of them give their time voluntarily so please treat them courteously and with respect.

What does it cost? 

It's FREE 

• It has enabled my son to become familiar and confident with me
• ...knowing they are safe is priceless
• It has helped my daughter build a relationship with her father.
• ...has put a stop to awkwardness between myself and my children's father
• It has helped me see my son at regular times
• I would like to thanks all the staff...they are very helpful and friendly...it is a very welcoming and happy atmosphere.

We area affiliated to The National Association of Child Contact Centres NACC is a national charity that supports over 325 Child Contact Centres throughout the British Isles.

Child Contact Centres are run by fully trained volunteers and staff. They are impartial, so they do not take sides. They work to a strict confidentiality policy and have all been through a Criminal Records Bureau check.

The most important people in the Child Contact Centre are the children. Centres aim to create a warm, sociable atmosphere where you and your children can relax and enjoy yourselves. The Centre has an area with a variety of games, toys and books for children of all ages. Tea, coffee and other refreshments are usually provided. You may want to bring along some favourite toys, special drinks, or other things you might need such as nappies.