Mid North Coast
#alwayschildfocused:
mid north coast contact visits & changeovers
The Mid North Coast stretches across some of New South Wales’ most welcoming coastal towns - Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Taree and Forster - where beaches, rivers and bushland all meet. It’s a region that gives families the chance to slow down, reconnect, and enjoy visits in places that feel safe and familiar.
Here, contact visits might mean a picnic beneath the Norfolk pines in Port Macquarie, exploring the foreshore at Coffs Harbour, walking by the Manning River in Taree, or sharing fish and chips by the water in Forster. With playgrounds, open spaces, and family-friendly cafés close at hand, the Mid North Coast offers countless ways for visits to feel natural, supportive, and always child-focused.
children's contact visits
Once families complete the intake process, contact visits can begin - carefully planned so that every detail supports a safe and positive experience for children. From separate meeting points and staggered times, to online options when needed, every arrangement is made with thought for each child’s comfort and emotional security.
Our #alwayschildfocused: blog and #alwayschildfocused: podcast shares more about how visits are structured, the role of our Contact Workers, and why visit reports are such an important part of keeping our service #alwayschildfocused.
our intake process
Our intake process is one of the most important parts of what we do because it sets the foundation for safe, supportive contact visits. Taking the time to understand each family’s needs, plan carefully, and help children feel at ease makes all the difference.
We’ve written more about each step from referral forms and intake assessments, to child familiarisation sessions on our blog so you can see how every part of the process is designed to be #alwayschildfocused.
visit locations
After intake, contact visits begin with arrangements designed around children’s safety and comfort, including thoughtful planning of handovers, timing, and location.
The map below shows some of the child-friendly spaces we use. Our #alwayschildfocused blog also shares gentle ideas for visit locations and activities, if you’d like inspiration.
changeovers
For many families, changeovers are a natural next step after progressing from contact visits - offering children the same sense of safety and support while beginning to build more direct routines with each parent.
Supervised changeovers are designed to make the transition between parents as calm and safe as possible for children. Instead of having to manage the stress of parents seeing each other, we arrange for separate meeting points and staggered times so the focus stays on your child. A trained Contact Worker is present throughout the changeover to support your child, help them feel comfortable, and ensure everything runs smoothly.
For children, this means they can move from one parent to the other without tension or conflict in the air - just a familiar, caring adult by their side. For parents, it brings peace of mind knowing the handover is managed with care, sensitivity, and an #alwayschildfocused approach.
If you’d like to learn more about how changeovers work and why they matter, you can find more information on our #alwayschildfocused blog below:
frequently asked questions
Our FAQs answer common questions about contact visits, intake, and how our service works.
They’re designed to give clarity before you need to ask.
To see more frequently asked questions, click here
our blog
Our blog is where we share practical ideas, suggestions for visit locations and resources shaped by our work with children and families navigating separation.
Our #alwayschildfocused projects include a podcast for families new to contact visits; a book, toy and games library, and mini website just for kids. Each created to support parents, practitioners, and children at different points in the post-separation journey.
access our #alwayschildfocused blog here
