what contact visits are all about 🌟

When parents hear the words “contact visits,” it can sometimes sound intimidating. But at its heart, it’s about making sure children feel safe, supported, and free to enjoy their time with their parent.

At Holding Hands, our focus is always on helping families move forward in a child-focused way.

Contact visits are when a child spends time with their parent while a trained Contact Worker is present. The role of the worker is to make sure the visit is safe, calm and focused on the child’s needs.

At Holding Hands, we don’t see supervision as watching over – we see it as creating a space where children can enjoy time with their parent without worry.

Our visits often happen in everyday community places – parks, libraries, or even a favourite café. Each family is different, so we take time at the beginning to understand what works best for the child. Visits start and finish at separate meeting points so parents don’t need to see each other.

Our Contact Workers quietly support the child’s time with their parent, stepping in only when needed. The focus is always on connection and helping the child feel comfortable.

We know that starting contact visits can feel overwhelming for parents. But one of the most powerful things you can do for your child is to feel calm and reassured about the process. When you are steady, your child feels it too.

Future posts here will walk through different parts of the process – from intake to visit reports – so you feel prepared and supported at every step.

Alongside our contact visits, we’ve created a range of resources to help both parents and children feel supported and prepared:

• 🎧 #alwayschildfocused:podcast – We’ve recorded an episode that talks through contact visits in detail. It shares what to expect and why this support matters for children.

• 📖 #alwayschildfocused:bookclub – With resources like Raising a Secure Child and The Whole-Brain Child, parents can find practical, child-focused strategies for parenting after separation.

• 🌈 #alwayschildfocused:kids mini website – A gentle, easy-to-read space designed just for children, helping them learn about contact visits and what to expect in a reassuring way.

At Holding Hands, you’re not walking this path alone – we’re here to support you and your child every step of the way. 💛

Jakk

#alwayschildfocused