our social story for children entering supervised changeovers 💛

This week we've launched something a little different through #alwayschildfocused.

A new social story for children attending supervised changeovers.

For many children, the hardest part of separation isn't always the time spent with a parent. Sometimes it's the transition itself. Moving between homes, saying goodbye, not knowing what happens next, or wondering who will be there can feel big in little minds.

So we wanted to create something gentle, practical, and easy for children to follow.

This story walks children through what a supervised changeover can actually look like inside a shopping centre environment. From arriving with one parent, meeting their helper, walking through the centre, saying hello to the other parent, and then making the journey back again later.

Importantly, it also shows children that they are not expected to navigate these moments alone.

Throughout the story, Jakki appears as the “helper” walking beside the child as they move between mum and dad. The language is simple and reassuring, helping children visualise what will happen before the day arrives.

Because children often cope better when uncertainty becomes structure.

The story also normalises some of the smaller practical details that matter to children: bringing favourite comfort items, packing bags or suitcases, walking through familiar public spaces, and knowing exactly who will be with them during each part of the process.

These details may seem small to adults, but for children they often help make unfamiliar experiences feel safer and more predictable.

That’s why we wanted this story to focus not just on the changeover itself, but on the full experience surrounding it.

Eevery child receives a copy of our social story before their first chnageover.

This gives them the opportunity to quietly explore the process ahead of time, ask questions, and begin building familiarity with their allocated contact worker before the first changeover occurs.

Small things can make a very big difference for children.