Contact Centre

What We do?

Welcome to Raedan Institute Contact Centre

Click here for access to Childrens Information Document

“Every Child Deserves Both Parents in Their Life”

As Elizabeth Edwards, renowned family advocate, powerfully stated: “Children are not a distraction from more important work. They are the most important work.”

To Register or Contact us for further information: Click Here

According to recent research by the Office for National Statistics (2023), approximately 1.3 million children in the UK have lost contact with a parent following separation or divorce. The impact of this loss can be profound – studies by the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) show that children who lose contact with a parent are significantly more likely to experience:

What will it be like?

What will it be like?

We hope that you will enjoy your time with us, and we
will do all we can to make sure you are only here for as
long as you need our services.

You might meet many members of our team, but we will
work hard to make sure that you are able to recognise
familiar faces, and our staff always have a name badge
to help you to find them.

You may spend time in a room with other children and
families who are spending time together. Our team will
also be in the room, and you will be able to see us at all
times. We are there for your comfort, but you will have
privacy and we will not be listening to all conversations
you have with the person you are visiting.

What If I am not happy?

There have been some big changes in your life, and there
might be some more. Its normal to worry about this and to feel uncertain about the future.

The NACCC Website has lots of information for you. You can easily find this on google, or by typing the following link into your web browser – https://naccc.org.uk/for-children/

If you are unhappy tell us. We will always do our best to
help.

If you have other professionals in your life like a Teacher,
Social Worker, Cafcass Staff Member, Youth Worker, or
anyone else you trust it is ok to talk to them too. They
will be able to help.

CHILDLINE: On the phone anytime

Childline.org.uk / 08001111

Childline are also available to talk to about anything that worries you. They provide a confidential service and will not tell us what you say to them unless you ask them to. They also have lots of great information on the Childline Website.

We are proud to be an accredited member of the National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) – the only UK charity dedicated to ensuring children maintain relationships with both parents and extended family members when separation occurs. As Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, emphasized in 2022: “Contact centres provide an essential service in maintaining the vital link between children and their separated parents.”

Our Purpose
The Raedan Institute Contact Centre is an independent, volunteer-led charitable organization committed to providing a safe, neutral, and welcoming environment where children can maintain or rebuild relationships with non-resident parents and family members. Operating under strict NACCC guidelines and safeguarding protocols, we offer supported contact services for families where no significant safeguarding concerns have been identified.

Professional Referrals
We accept referrals through recognized pathways including:
– Family law solicitors
– Cafcass officers
– Accredited family mediators
– Social workers
– Family court orders

As noted by Sir James Munby, former President of the Family Division: “The work of contact centres represents one of the most important contributions to the welfare of children caught in the midst of family breakdown.”

Did you know? The NACCC network includes:
– Over 350 accredited centres across the UK
– Nearly 4,000 trained volunteers
– Supports approximately 17,000 children annually
(NACCC Annual Report 2023)

Our Address Raedan Institute, 2 Overton Rd, Leicester, LE5 0JA

List of Policies:

Raedan Institute Contact Centre – Terms of Service and Safety Guidelines

At Raedan Institute, we prioritize the safety, well-being, and positive experiences of all children in our care. To maintain our high standards and NACCC accreditation, we require all service users to adhere to the following guidelines:

Parental Responsibilities

Child Supervision

Primary responsibility for children remains with parents at all times
One parent must remain on the premises throughout the contact session
Parents must actively supervise children using play equipment and common areas
Any accidents or incidents must be reported immediately to our volunteer staff

Progression of Contact

Supported contact at Raedan Institute is designed as a transitional arrangement
We encourage families to work towards independent contact arrangements
Our team can provide guidance on progressing to unsupervised contact

Session Timing and Attendance

Sessions run between [specific times]
Late arrivals may result in shortened sessions
All sessions conclude promptly at 3:00 PM
Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled time
Consistent attendance is expected and supports positive outcomes

Code of Conduct

The following behaviours will result in an immediate review of service provision:
Violence or threatening behaviour
Inappropriate language
Harassment or intimidation
Substance misuse
Breach of safeguarding protocols

Health and Safety

Smoking/vaping prohibited within Centre grounds and car park
No alcohol or illegal substances permitted
Medication must be declared to staff
First aid facilities available on-site

Toy and Activity Guidelines

To ensure the safety of all children, particularly those under 5:
No projectile toys (balls, frisbees, etc.)
No toy weapons
No hard or sharp-edged toys
Appropriate toys are provided by the Centre

Guidelines for Visiting Parents

Attendance

Only pre-approved individuals listed on the referral form may attend
Additional visitors require advance written authorization
Identification may be required at each visit

Centre Access

Access restricted to designated contact areas
Must remain within supervised areas
Toilet facilities available [location details]

Photography Policy

Photography of own children permitted
No photographs of other families or staff
Strict prohibition on social media posting
Written confirmation of policy compliance required

Guidelines for Resident Parents

1. During Contact
– Option to remain in the designated waiting area
– May leave premises but must provide a contact number
– Must return 10 minutes before the session ends
– Emergency contact details must be current

Data Protection and Privacy

Raedan Institute complies with GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018:
– Information collected solely for service provision
– Data shared only within authorized volunteer team
– Anonymous statistical reporting
– Full privacy policy available on request
– Annual data audit conducted
– Right to access personal data upon written request

Declaration

All service users must sign and date these terms, confirming:
– Understanding of all requirements
– Agreement to comply with guidelines
– Acknowledgment of consequences for breaches
– Consent for data processing

We reserve the right to modify these terms with appropriate notice. Current version: 12/11/2024

Referrals:

Understanding Our Contact Services

At Raedan Institute, we recognize that maintaining parent-child relationships after separation requires different levels of support depending on family circumstances. We offer two distinct services:

Supported Contact Services at Raedan Institute

Supported contact provides a safe, welcoming environment where children can spend quality time with their non-resident parents or family members. This service is appropriate when:
– No significant safeguarding concerns exist
– Parents can manage their own interactions
– Minimal intervention is required
– Families are working towards independent arrangements

Key Features of Our Supported Contact Service:

Professional Environment

Purpose-designed facilities with age-appropriate resources
Multiple family spaces allowing natural interaction
Comfortable, neutral setting promoting positive experiences
Trained volunteers available for assistance

Impartial Support

Non-judgmental environment
Equal respect for all parties
No taking sides or offering opinions
Focus on child’s wellbeing

Light-Touch Supervision

Discrete presence of trained volunteers
No close monitoring of conversations
Support available when needed
Emphasis on natural family interaction

Reporting and Confidentiality

Basic attendance records maintained
No detailed observations shared
Confidentiality respected
Exception: safeguarding concerns requiring disclosure

Progressive Approach

Regular reviews of arrangements
Support for transition to independent contact
Guidance on alternative venues
Typical timeframe: 3-6 months

Supervised Contact Services

(Available through referral to specialist partners)

While Raedan Institute specialises in supported contact, we maintain strong partnerships with supervised contact providers for families requiring higher levels of supervision. We can assist with appropriate referrals when:
– Court-ordered supervision is required
– Safeguarding concerns exist
– Professional observation is needed
– Risk assessments indicate higher support needs

As noted by Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division (2023): “The distinction between supported and supervised contact is crucial – each serving different needs but both vital in maintaining safe child-parent relationships.”

Supervised Contact Features:

Professional Oversight

Qualified supervisors present Constant line of sight maintained Detailed observation and recording Professional risk management

Enhanced Safety Measures

Private, secure facilities Structured environment Emergency procedures in place Controlled entry/exit

Comprehensive Documentation

Detailed session records Regular progress reports Court-ready documentation Professional assessments

Tailored Support

Individual supervision plans Regular risk assessments Progression monitoring Clear objectives and outcomes

Professional Framework

Multi-agency collaboration Regular case reviews Clear progression pathways

Progression Pathways

Contact arrangements are regularly reviewed and can evolve:
From supervised to supported contact
From supported to independent contact
From centre-based to community venues
From shorter to longer sessions

Educational Support Roles

Teaching and Tutoring Positions Our supplementary education programme serves students from KS1 to A-levels, and we urgently need qualified teachers and enthusiastic tutors to support our mission. Whether you’re a retired educator, a current teacher looking to make additional impact, or a graduate with subject expertise, your knowledge can help bridge educational gaps in our community.

Teaching Assistants Support our qualified teachers by assisting with classroom management, one-on-one student support, and educational activities. This role is perfect for those passionate about education but who may not have formal teaching qualifications. According to the Department for Education, effective teaching assistant support can improve student progress by up to 4 months additional learning per year².

According to NACCC statistics (2023), approximately 60% of families using supported contact progress to independent arrangements within 6 months.

“Working as a teaching assistant at Raedan Institute has been incredibly rewarding,” shares Zainab, a volunteer TA. “Seeing a child’s face light up when they finally grasp a difficult concept – that’s what keeps me coming back every week.”