Contact centres
Hometown Contact Service provides a safe, neutral and child-focused environment where children can spend time with a parent or family member they do not live with.
We work with families, local authorities, Cafcass, courts and solicitors to support children's emotional wellbeing and help families maintain important relationships.
About the service
A child contact service supports arrangements between children and family members when families are separated, communication between adults is difficult, there are safeguarding concerns, contact requires structure or neutrality, or court proceedings are ongoing or have recently concluded.
Hometown is a social enterprise built around fairness and social responsibility. We reinvest most of our profits into developing services that support children to achieve better outcomes.
How we can help
Trained staff closely observe contact sessions. Detailed records and reports may be produced where agreed.
This may be appropriate where there are safeguarding concerns, a court has directed supervision, risk assessments identify a need for monitoring, or contact needs a carefully managed reintroduction.
Contact takes place in a safe, neutral setting with staff or volunteers available to offer reassurance, practical support and intervention when required.
This may help with managed handovers, conflict between adults, rebuilding contact after time apart, or preparing for community contact.
Parents do not need to meet. Our specialist team manages the handover so the child can leave with the non-resident parent and return afterwards.
Handovers can take place at the centre or, where agreed, at another community venue.
We support indirect contact through video calls, letters, cards and gifts when other forms of contact are not considered best for the child.
Contact can be observed and supervised, and correspondence or gifts can be checked before they are forwarded.
Qualified social workers and experienced childcare staff assess and support children, young people and families who need guidance or practical help.
Support can range from one-hour visits to continuous care, with reports available for court proceedings or parenting assessments where required.
Following a referral from social services and agreement from the family, trained staff can visit an address to check on a child's wellbeing.
Staff record who is present and any concerns identified. Relevant authorities are contacted immediately if significant concerns are found.
We provide independent supervision for parents spending time with a child in hospital, including maternity settings and cases where authorities are investigating possible non-accidental injury.
Referrals
Contact information
Leeds
Telephone
0113 550 2772
Email
contactservice@hometowncare.co.uk
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm
Emergency or safeguarding contact
Centre Coordinator: 0113 550 2772
Service fees
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