Supervised Contact Services
Meli’s Supervised Contact Services understand the challenges that are often experienced during and after separation. For some separated parents, managing contact and shared care arrangements may be difficult. Our Supervised Contact Services enable safe contact arrangements to occur with minimal stress for the child/ren and parents. It can also help with establishing a relationship between children and parents when there has been a period of limited or no contact.
We offer a safe, independent, and neutral venue where parents can visit their children during supervised contacts. We can also facilitate changeovers for those families who do not require supervision.
The primary focus of Meli’s Supervised Contact Services is the safety and well-being of children. The service maintains a clear commitment to prioritising the rights, needs and welfare of children and will actively intervene to ensure that the best interests of children are protected and promoted at all times. The child’s rights, safety and well-being are considered our priority.
What is the best service for your family?
At Meli, we offer two types of Supervised Contact Services; the Children’s Contact Service (CCS) and the Family Engagement Service (FES).
The main differences between the two services are cost, availability of contact visitation times and how long you can use the services for.
All visits happen in a safe space with supportive people on hand to help where needed. Our independent, neutral venues and experienced team support parents foster positive relationships with their children and work towards managing contact visits independently in the future.
Children’s Contact Services
The Children’s Contact Service (CCS) offers supervised contacts and facilitated changeovers, and is partially funded by the Department of Social Services.
Parents’ fee contribution ranges from $10 to $70 per supervised contact, depending on yearly income and the cost of facilitated changeovers is $5.00 per changeover per parent ($10.00 for arrival and return per parent).
Supervised contacts are generally scheduled fortnightly for a maximum of two hours per supervised contact, for a maximum of 12 supervised contacts, with the option to do a further six months of facilitated changeovers if required. There is a waitlist for families requiring this service.
Family Engagement Service
The Family Engagement Service (FES) is a full fee for service model.
Fees include intake and assessment fee of $170 per party. Supervised contact fees are $140 per hour on a weekday (Thursday or Friday) or $170 per hour on Saturday.
What you can expect from our services
- A family focused environment
- An established centre with age-appropriate toys, games, and equipment
- Private playrooms and shared outdoor play areas
- Trained, experienced, and professional staff
- Established safety and security procedures
- Information, advice, and referrals regarding other services to support parents and child/ren
Eligibility
Meli’s Supervised Contact Services provide services to children living in the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Bellarine, Queenscliff, Golden Plains, Colac Otway, Lara and Little River regions. If the child/ren resides outside of these areas, the service can provide suggestions of other government funded Supervised Contact Services that may be able to assist you.
The service is suitable for children aged 12 and under. Child/ren over the age of 12 can attend with younger siblings.
Children who are subject to Child Protection orders are not eligible for the service as contact arrangements are the responsibility of the relevant department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Supervised contacts are scheduled at regular intervals (generally fortnightly) for a duration of two hours. However, timing and length of supervised contact visits are at the child’s pace. They may be short to begin with, and then extended, based on the Supervised Contact Worker’s assessment of the child’s level of comfort.
During a supervised contact, the Supervised Contact Worker will always be available and will work with the Spends Time with Parent and the child to maintain and build their relationship through play, dialogue, and positive interactions.
The Supervised Contact Worker will observe interactions to ensure the visit is emotionally and physically safe for the child/ren. Staff are impartial with a focus on the child’s best interests and will intervene to ensure these interests are protected.
While utilising the service it is expected that families will be working towards self-management of contact arrangements. We can assist in linking you with the appropriate services that can help your family to make these arrangements.
A Keeping in Touch (KIT) visit is designed for families who are unable to independently manage their contact arrangements. These supervised visits are offered four times a year, aligning with the gazetted Victorian school holidays. KIT visits provide a safe and consistent opportunity for children to maintain meaningful connections with their parent in a supportive environment. These visits are charge in line with the Children’s Contact Service ($10.00 – $70.00 per parent).
A facilitated changeover is an arrangement for children to have a contact visit without parents needing to see or contact each other.
During assisted changeover Meli supervision staff will:
- Accompany the children from one parent to the other.
- Record observations about what they see and hear during changeovers.
- Pass on a communication book for parents to exchange necessary information about the children.
- Maintain a positive and an encouraging attitude to and about both parents.
- Assist parents with information and referrals to other services when needed, to help them progress towards self-managing their changeovers.
Wait times for both services varies and are subject to change at any time without notice. The service aims to commence families as soon as capacity allows. The service does not have priority waitlist and families commence in order of when both parents’ applications are received.
For more information on wait time, please call the service Wednesday to Friday.
Children’s Contact Service: 12 fortnightly supervised contact visits and/or 12 fortnightly/24 weekly facilitated changeovers with the expectation that families will be able to self-manage their child contact arrangements after this time.
Family Engagement Service: as long as required, with the view to self-manage of child contact arrangements where possible.
How to access this service
Family members, lawyers or community agency workers can call Meli Supervised Contact Services for information and application forms on 03 5226 8900
Both parents need to complete an application form and further information may need to be obtained from other professionals as part of the Intake Assessment Process.
For further information
- Read through our Supervised Contact Services brochure for parents and guardians.
- Information and Guidelines for parents and guardians Supervised Contact Services
To apply please use the QR code below
or click on the link Supervised Contact Services Application Form
Further resources
Australian Children Contact Service Association
The Orange Door is a free service for adults, children and young people who are experiencing or have experienced family violence and families who need extra support with the care of children.
The Lookout provides information, resources and services aimed at preventing and responding to family violence.
1800 RESPECT is Australia’s national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service. Call toll free on 1800 737 732.
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