The purpose of supervised visitation is to provide a protected setting for parent-child contact when such contact presents risk following parental separation, child abuse or neglect or, after an extended interruption of contact. Supervised visitation is distinguished from supportive and therapeutic visitation by its emphasis on neutrality; that is, the supervised visitation monitor makes no intervention that would actively support or encourage the relationship between the parent and child.
However, the monitor would intervene if the emotional or physical safety of a child were threatened. The monitor is responsible for hearing and seeing all interactions between the parent and child.
To maintain safety and to reduce the potential conflict in front of the child, the visiting parent is generally required to arrive 15 minutes prior to the visit, whereas the custodial parent and child arrive at the scheduled time in a separate location. At the end of the visit, the custodial parent and the child leave the site and the visiting parent waits with the monitor for 5-10 minutes.
A comprehensive set of rules and professional guidelines apply and are agreed to by all parties. Visits can take place in any location that is agreed upon by all parties (zoo, park, a home etc.)
Services Protocol:
- Intake session with visiting parent - 1 hour
- Intake session with custodial parent - 1 hour
- Orientation session with the child and parent prior to the first visit. - 10-15 minutes
- Supervised visits are scheduled and continue until ordered to stop.