Family Mediation South Lanarkshire provides Child Contact Centres in various locations across South Lanarkshire, including East Kilbride and Burnbank (Hamilton), each of which have free parking facilities and are close to public transport links.
Contact centre services are free, although we do accept donations to cover our costs.
Please contact us if you would like more info on our Child Contact Centres or if you would like to arrange an initial visit prior to using the centre.
Our ‘what most children say’ page provides a short guide to how break-ups effect children, the messages are clear and simple and are backed-up by research findings.
What are child contact centres?
A Child Contact Centre is a safe, friendly and neutral place where children of separated families can spend time with one or both parents and sometimes other family members. They are friendly and safe child-centred environments that provide toys, games and facilities that reflect the diverse needs of children affected by family breakdown. All our venues are staffed by a paid co-ordinator and a team of specially trained volunteers.
Why use a child contact centre?
Contact centres are very useful when there has been a long gap between contact, or when contact has not taken place at all. Contact Centre staff and volunteers help and encourage both parents to feel at ease and take responsibility for taking the child from one parent to the other. Both parents must agree to use a contact centre. Before contact takes place, they must agree to the contact arrangements, and then they must stick to them.
Do I need to meet my ex-partner when I goto the centre?
Not if you don’t want to. Parents are responsible for their children at all times while at the Centre so you will have to wait with your child until your ex-partner arrives. However, the Centre staff can deal with the handover of your child so you don’t need to meet your ex-partner.
How do I know that Child Contact Centres are safe and run to a certain standard?
As mentioned, all our venues are staffed by a paid co-ordinator and a team of specially trained volunteers. Importantly, all our centres operate to a Scottish Code of Policy and Procedures and are affiliated with the Scottish Association of Child Contact Centres (SACCC).
Does the centre make any reports about us?
The Child Contact Centre is independent of the Courts, Social Services or any statutory agency. Supported Child Contact Centres do not make verbal or written reports about visits, apart from the dates and times of attendance. The only exception to this is if we believe that a child is at risk, or if a member of staff, volunteer or Centre user is at risk of harm.