About Our Child Contact Centre Chatham
Putting Children at the Heart of Family Time.A professional, impartial and welcoming child contact centre in Chatham, created to help families maintain important relationships safely and positively.
At Smart Families, we believe children should have the opportunity to maintain meaningful relationships with the people who matter to them, where it is safe and appropriate for them to do so.
Our role is to provide the environment, support and professional guidance families need to make that time as positive as possible.
About Smart Families
Smart Families provides a safe, neutral and welcoming environment for children to spend quality time with a parent or family member they no longer live with.
Based in Chatham, Medway, our child contact centre supports families following separation and other changes in family circumstances.
We work with families who have made private arrangements for child contact as well as those referred through solicitors, the Family Court and other professionals.
Depending upon the agreed arrangements, we can provide supervised, supported and community family time.
Whatever the circumstances that bring a family to Smart Families, our approach remains the same: professional, impartial, compassionate and centred around the needs of the child.
A Welcoming Place for Children & Families
We believe family time should be about much more than simply providing a room in which people can meet.
Our Chatham contact centre has been thoughtfully designed to feel comfortable and welcoming rather than clinical.
Our family rooms are child-friendly and equipped with toys and activities, helping children settle into their surroundings and giving families an environment in which they can concentrate on spending positive time together.
Our team understands that attending a contact centre can sometimes feel daunting. We therefore do everything we can to reduce anxiety and create a calm, respectful atmosphere from the moment families arrive.
Our Family Time Services
Contact Time
Contact Time provides an opportunity for children to see the parent or family member they no longer live with in a safe, comfortable and friendly environment.
Different families require different levels of support, which is why Smart Families provides supervised, supported and community family time.
We will work within the arrangements agreed for your family and explain exactly what to expect before your sessions begin.
Supervised Family Time
Supervised family time provides a safe space for children to spend time with a parent or family member within one of our child-friendly family rooms.
A trained supervisor remains present during the session and observes the interaction between the child and visiting family member.
Our staff are also there to help encourage positive interactions and, where appropriate, can provide guidance to the visiting parent to help ensure the time spent together remains meaningful and focused on the child.
Following the session, a brief, factual account can be produced as part of the agreed service.
Supported Family Time
Supported family time allows children and family members to spend time together in one of our family rooms with a lower level of direct supervision.
A member of the Smart Families team will be present within the room or building and available to provide a helping hand where necessary.
Our team will also manage the practical arrangements surrounding the visit and help maintain a positive, neutral environment for everyone attending.
Unlike supervised family time, no observational report is produced following a supported session.
Community Family Time
Where appropriate and agreed, family time can also take place outside our Chatham centre within the community.
This can provide children and their parent or family member with the opportunity to spend time together within a suitable community setting while still receiving professional supervision.
A supervisor can accompany the family throughout the session and provide a brief factual report afterwards where required.
Take the First Step Towards Family Time
Whether you’re a parent, solicitor or professional, starting a referral with Smart Families is simple.
Complete our online referral form and our team will guide you through the next steps.
Alternatively, Speak To Us Before Making A Referral
Please contact our team.
services@smartfamilies.co.uk
Ebonie Fitzpatrick — 07494 768795
Sophie Gilbert — 07547 724742