FAQ's

A Family Time Centre is a safe, friendly, and neutral place where children from separated families can spend time with their non-resident parent and sometimes other family members. It is a child-centred environment that prioritises the needs of the children.

It is for children, as it is important they grow up knowing both parents. Family Time Centres provide short-term support to help re-establish contact between children and their non-resident parents.

Please inform us as soon as possible so we can notify the other parent. Giving advance notice helps minimise distress for your child(ren). Without good reason, if there are more than two sessions cancelled, the centre management team will need to consider whether or not the service is still in the child(ren)'s best interests. We need to protect their emotional well-being.

Without a court order, a referral to a Family Time Centre requires agreement from both parties. The Norwich Family Time Centre does not have the authority to compel anyone to attend. If a party is unwilling to participate, you should seek legal advice.

Family Time Centres serve as a short-term stepping stone for families. In most cases, they are used for 3–6 months, although this may vary, especially for Looked After Children. Each case is individually assessed and planned to meet the family’s specific needs.

Centres regularly review arrangements and may recommend transitioning from supervised to supported family time or organising community-based handovers. For example, the visiting parent might take the child out during the session and return them to the centre afterward, helping build confidence before moving to unsupervised arrangements.

Parenting plans are also available through the centre. These plans address various aspects of a child's welfare and help parents make informed decisions about progressing family time. A template for parenting plans can be found on the NACCC website, and all parents are encouraged to review it before starting sessions.

No, unless both parties agree, and the centre staff deem it appropriate. To ensure this, the non-resident parent is required to arrive 15 minutes before the resident parent and child. At the end of the session, the non-resident parent must wait 5–10 minutes before leaving.

We believe that, where appropriate, communication between parents always benefits the children. We recommend using apps such as AppClose or Family Wizard, which records and documents all information, including texts, calls, and photos, ensuring that nothing can be deleted.

If there are concerns about drug or alcohol use, we have facilities to conduct testing. This includes testing for several types of drugs and a breathalyser for alcohol testing. These measures help ensure a safe and secure environment for children during family time sessions.