Telephone: 0115 9858855
Contact Activities
The 2006 Children and Adoption Act gave Family Courts more flexible powers to facilitate child contact where it is safe to do so. The Court now has power to direct the parties to the proceedings to attend “Contact Activities” aimed at promoting safe contact with children.
FAME is an Approved Provider for two of these contact activities.
Court Directed Mediation Information Meeting
Mediation is a voluntary process. The Court cannot order parties to mediate but it can direct parties to attend a Mediation Information (Assessment) Meeting. This is so the parties receive an explanation about how mediation may help them reach an agreement which is in the interest of their children and for the mediator to assess whether or not the dispute is suitable for mediation. Any costs involved in mediation will also be explained to the parties. FAME will only report to the court whether parents attended and whether mediation is proceeding.
Costs of Court Directed Mediation Information Meetings
If one or both parties are eligible for public funding (Legal Aid) Mediation Information Meetings are free. Proof of eligibility for public funding such as the Public Funding Certificate (a photocopy is acceptable) will need to be produced. Click here to find out more about how your eligibility is assessed.
If neither party is eligible then the costs of the mediation service apply. Click here to see current charges for mediation.
Parenting Information Programme
This is a course written specifically for contact activity orders. Both parents attend but not together. It is designed to help parents understand the impact of ongoing parental conflict on their children and to provide advice and support about how to reduce it. The needs of children are central to the course, though sources of support and practical information to help parents are included.
The course is designed in four one hour modules usually delivered in two hour sessions on two separate occasions, often to a small group possibly individually.
- The Divorce/Separation Process
- Children & Separation/Divorce
- Communication
- The Emotional Impact of Separation/Divorce Moving Forward
Parents will be able to consider where they are in their own "Separation/Divorce Journey" and what that journey has been like so far. They will see a powerful video made by young people which dramatises the effect of parental conflict on children in an "ordinary" family. This raises key issues for discussion and parents will go on to consider the needs of children in separating families and identify problems specific to their own situation. Time is spent looking at ways of improving communication, with children and with ex partners. Finally parents will consider the emotional aspects of separation and loss. They consider how they can move forward and identify their sources of support.
FAME will only report back to the Court about attendance on the programme and will not make any assessment of parties’ responses.
Costs of the Parenting Programme
From April 1st 2010 costs for the Parenting Information Programme will be met centrally. Clients will not be charged for the programme whatever their income or eligibility for public funding.
Professionals - Making a referral
As they are ordered by a court Contact Activities referrals must be accompanied by court information and a copy of the court order.
Referral forms to FAME are available for Mediation Information Meetings and for the Parenting Programme (a separate form for each activity). These should be completed by a professional (CAFCASS officer, solicitor, court official). These forms should be available at Nottingham County and Magistrates Courts, via CAFCASS officers or by clicking below.
Make a referral for Court Directed Mediation Information Meeting