Centre Information: Times, Fees & Facilities

Many of our families have never used a child contact centre when they first get in touch. We understand that you may not know what to expect. While we’ve provided information about the sessions on another page, here’s some of the practical information you might be wondering about.

Facilities

  • We’re in the United Reformed Church, on Eden Street in Kingston town centre.
  • Sessions take place in a large hall, supported by a minimum of two volunteers and two coordinators.
  • Light refreshments are provided at no additional cost. Please don’t bring any food or drink because there are others with serious allergies and food sensitivities.
  • There is a meeting room where we hold meetings and reviews. If you’d like a private chat with one of the coordinators, you can ask to use the meeting room.
  • The centre is fully equipped for disabled access.
  • Baby changing facilities are available in the toilet facilities. Please bring your own baby changing mat.

We’re near a station and regular bus routes, and parking is available.

Opening Times

  • The Child Contact Centre is open every other Sunday, dates are here
  • Contact sessions run from 2-4 pm.
  • Non-resident parents should arrive between 1:45 and 2:00 pm and will be asked to stay after the session until 4:15 pm.
  • Children should arrive at 1.55 pm and be collected by their resident parent before 4 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
  • If you are unable to attend a contact session, please email us at admin@kingstonchildcontactcentre.org.uk 48 hours+ before the session to let us know.

The Contact Centre will be closed on bank holiday weekends, Easter, Christmas and New Year, and throughout August. You can confirm the opening dates here.

Fees

  • Kingston Child Contact Centre is managed and run by unpaid volunteers.
  • Our aim is to make contact between children and non-resident parents affordable and available to all.
  • There is a one-off registration fee of £50 (usually paid by the non-resident parent) when you’ve accepted the terms of use for the centre.
  • Each supported contact session is £10, and each supervised session is £75 (usually paid by the non-resident parent).
  • Reductions may be available for low-income families; we review these on an individual basis. If you need a reduced rate, please contact us.

Opening Times

  • The Child Contact Centre is open every other Sunday, dates are here
  • Contact sessions run from 2-4 pm.
  • Non-resident parents should arrive between 1:45 and 2:00 pm and will be asked to stay after the session until 4:15 pm.
  • Children should arrive at 1.55 pm and be collected by their resident parent before 4 pm. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
  • If you are unable to attend a contact session, please email us at admin@kingstonchildcontactcentre.org.uk 24-48 hours before the session to let us know.

The Contact Centre will be closed on bank holiday weekends, Easter, Christmas and New Year, and throughout August. You can confirm the opening dates here.

Fees

  • Kingston Child Contact Centre is managed and run by unpaid volunteers.
  • Our aim is to make contact between children and non-resident parents affordable and available to all.
  • There is a one-off registration fee of £50 (usually paid by the non-resident parent) when you’ve accepted the terms of use for the centre.
  • Each supported contact session is £10, and each supervised session is £75 (usually paid by the non-resident parent).
  • Reductions may be available for low-income families; we review these on an individual basis. If you need a reduced rate, please contact us.

Our Policies

Our centre has policies covering safeguarding, equal opportunities, positive communication, and more. You can review our policies here.

KCCC Court of Law attendance policy

Domestic Violence and Abuse Policy

Equal Opportunities and Diversity policy

Positive Communication

Safeguarding and Child Protection

NACCC Safeguarding

Supervised Contact

Feedback from the National Association of Child Contact Centres

“I’m writing on behalf of the whole team at NACCC to say Thank You for everything that you have done for children and their families this year. Our work continues to be challenging, yet here we are still doing our best and still providing essential and high-quality services for the people of our communities.

… Services enabling children to spend time with their families have never been more important, which means the work you do has never been more valuable.”

 Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting Information

We’re open fortnightly on Sundays, except for August and Bank Holiday weekends, including Easter, Christmas and New Year. You can see our complete calendar of dates here.

Yes, we have a waiting area, and we can let you know after 10/15 minutes how the contact is going. You’re welcome to stay here, but you won’t be able to attend the contact session.

No, this is highly unlikely. You’ll have private handovers with separate entrances and waiting areas, so each parent should come and go without contact. It is, of course, possible that you may see each other outside the centre.

Facilities and Resources

Please bring your own toys, books and activities. We don’t allow electronic devices of any kind, battery-operated toys, balls, glue, runny paint, glitter or slime.

No. For safeguarding reasons, we prohibit all electronic devices that could be used for filming or photography. This protects the privacy of other families and staff, and prevents potentially misleading images being created. Breaking this rule may result in immediate suspension of services.

Yes, the centre is fully equipped for disabled access.

Our Team

All our volunteers are trained in child contact support and safeguarding. They undergo enhanced DBS checks before starting, and receive ongoing training and supervision.

In supported contact sessions, you’ll have a minimum of two volunteers and two coordinators. Supervised sessions will have their own dedicated volunteer present.

Fees and Administration

There is an admin charge of £50 for registering for the service. Supported sessions are then £10 each time and Supervised sessions are £75.

We operate a virtual office, so please email us to begin the process. You’ll need to complete a Self Referral Form.

Policies and Guidelines

We’ll arrange meetings after a few months of regular attendance, and we can discuss then how you feel the sessions are progressing. Families can use the centre for up to 2 years.
We do review each case individually and will support a family beyond this point, if there really is no alternative way to arrange contact–for example, where a parent has challenging mental health issues or addictions.

Yes, if all parties agree, but only after the third contact session or later, to ensure a positive parent-child relationship has been established first.

We’re committed to supporting children within a positive and productive environment; any behaviour which jeopardises that will be dealt with. You can see more in our Supervised Contact and Positive Communication policies.

Please email us at admin@kingstonchildcontactcentre.org.uk 24-48 hours ahead of the session if you won’t be able to attend.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting Information

We’re open fortnightly on Sundays, except for August and Bank Holiday weekends, including Easter, Christmas and New Year. You can see our complete calendar of dates here.

Yes, we have a waiting area, and we can let you know after 10/15 minutes how the contact is going. You’re welcome to stay here, but you won’t be able to attend the contact session.

No, this is highly unlikely. You’ll have private handovers with separate entrances and waiting areas, so each parent should come and go without contact. It is, of course, possible that you may see each other outside the centre.

Facilities and Resources

Please bring your own toys, books and activities. We don’t allow electronic devices of any kind, battery-operated toys, balls, glue, runny paint, glitter or slime.

No. For safeguarding reasons, we prohibit all electronic devices that could be used for filming or photography. This protects the privacy of other families and staff, and prevents potentially misleading images being created. Breaking this rule may result in immediate suspension of services.

Yes, the centre is fully equipped for disabled access.

Our Team

All our volunteers are trained in child contact support and safeguarding. They undergo enhanced DBS checks before starting, and receive ongoing training and supervision.

In supported contact sessions, you’ll have a minimum of two volunteers and two coordinators. Supervised sessions will have their own dedicated volunteer present.

Fees and Administration

There is an admin charge of £50 for registering for the service. Supported sessions are then £10 each time and Supervised sessions are £75.

We operate a virtual office, so please email us to begin the process. You’ll need to complete a Self Referral Form.

Policies and Guidelines

We’ll arrange meetings after a few months of regular attendance, and we can discuss then how you feel the sessions are progressing. Families can use the centre for up to 2 years.
We do review each case individually and will support a family beyond this point, if there really is no alternative way to arrange contact–for example, where a parent has challenging mental health issues or addictions.

Yes, if all parties agree, but only after the third contact session or later, to ensure a positive parent-child relationship has been established first.

We’re committed to supporting children within a positive and productive environment; any behaviour which jeopardises that will be dealt with. You can see more in our Supervised Contact and Positive Communication policies.

Please email us at admin@kingstonchildcontactcentre.org.uk 24-48 hours ahead of the session if you won’t be able to attend.