Child contact centres — the official finder
The official directory (search it now)
- Open the NACCC search naccc.org.uk — search the directory is the authoritative, current list of accredited centres (supported & supervised) across England & Wales. Centres open, close and change referral rules often — third-party lists go stale, which is why this site links the live register instead of copying it.
- Search your postcode Enter your postcode or town; the results show each centre's accreditation type, distance, and referral requirements. Note two or three candidates within realistic travel of the child's home or school.
- Phone before proposing Ask each centre: (1) current referral route — self, Cafcass, solicitor or court order; (2) waiting list length; (3) cost per session (supported is often free/donation; supervised typically tens of £/hour); (4) session times. Write the answers down with the date — that note is evidence you did this properly.
- Propose a NAMED centre at the hearing At the FHDRA or in correspondence, propose the specific centre, frequency, and who pays: "Supported contact at [centre], alternate Saturdays 10:00–12:00, for four weeks, costs met by the applicant/father, review thereafter." A named, checked, costed proposal is the single most persuasive contact move a father can make — put it in your position statement.
Supported vs supervised — which applies
| Supported contact | Supervised contact | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Neutral venue, staff present, families responsible for the session | A supervisor observes the whole contact and records it |
| Typical case | Lower risk: contact stalled, no findings against you, safeguarding clear | Higher risk: serious allegations, findings, court-directed observation |
| Cost | Usually free or a small donation | Typically tens of pounds per hour — varies by centre |
| Referral | Often self-referral or Cafcass/solicitor letter | Almost always a court order or Cafcass direction |
| Who it convinces | Shows willingness to engage safely on any terms | Answers safety objections directly while keeping contact alive |
Progression is the point: centre contact is a bridge — supported centre → reviewed handovers → direct arrangements. Document each stage (contact log) because the record is what moves the court to the next step.
Questions fathers ask
Can I just turn up with the court order?
No — always book in advance. Centres run pre-visits, need both parties' details, and often hold waiting lists. Booking early is itself evidence of reliability.
The centre near me has a months-long list — now what?
Widen the search radius (grandparents' area, near the child's school), ask Cafcass about alternative accredited venues, and put the waiting-list evidence in your position statement — a documented offer with a queue position still shows willingness.
Do I have to be in the same room as her?
No — centres stagger arrival/departure times and use separate waiting areas as standard. Say if you need it; it's routine.
What if she refuses centre contact too?
Log the proposal, date, and refusal. Repeated refusals of reasonable, safeguarded contact are exactly what courts examine when contact is withheld without good reason — and can become enforcement evidence.
Before your hearing
Turning scattered messages, notes and dates into evidence takes structure. keep a dated log of every proposed and completed centre session — EvidenceCanvas is a guided toolkit that helps you draft a child-focused witness statement, answer a Scott Schedule point by point, and assemble a paginated court bundle. It is not a law firm and does not give legal advice.