Leicester Family Contact Centre
St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PX
About Us
Information for Centre Users
Here, both non-resident parents and parents can find all the information they want about using the Centre.
We believe it is very important for children to keep in touch with both parents and family so we offer a neutral venue for you to meet until you can make further suitable arrangements.
The Centre is open from 12.50pm-4pm every Saturday and is staffed by about 4 volunteers. Every effort is made to make you feel welcome. A note is made of when each member of a family arrive and depart, but apart from this no records or reports are made.
Our Address: St Martins House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester LE1 5PX.
Using the Centre
Using the Centre is very simple. If you bring children with you, we ask you to wait until the other parent arrives. If you would like to stay in the Centre, we are happy for you to do so and we will provide a separate room for you. In our experience it is better for the children to spend time alone with the contact parent once they have settled. Please note that the Centre is a supported contact centre offering facilities and a safe space, the Centre does not supervise family time or write reports.
What is there to do?
We have lots of toys, games, jigsaws, and books to choose from, plus a climbing frame with a slide and a pool table for the older children. However, if your child(ren) want to bring their own toys, please let them.
Do I have to pay?
The only charge is an up-front, non-refundable referral fee of £20. There is no other charge for using the centre, however, we do provide tea and coffee for adults at a small charge.
How often can we come?
This will depend on what arrangements you make with your ex-partner and your solicitor, or your CAFCASS officer may help you arrange this. We regret that we cannot accept families until a referral form has been agreed by both parents and accepted by the organiser. As places at the Centre can only be offered on a short term basis, we ask parents to consider what other possible venues for contact may exist. The need for a place at the Centre will be reviewed after an agreed period of time.
The duration of your stay will depend on your arrangement and availability at the centre. We will agree and review this with you. However, the first planned visit after completion of the pre-visits is limited to one hour only.
What do I do if I can’t come?
If you have to change your plans, please let your ex-partner know in advance, so that they will not be kept waiting on a Saturday as this can be very disappointing.
If it is not possible for you to get in touch with them beforehand you should ring the Centre on Saturday after 12.50pm on 07814 801 413.
Can I take my child out?
This will depend on your individual contact arrangements. It may be possible if it has been agreed in advance.
Do I have to meet my former partner?
If you do not wish to meet your former partner, please let us know so that arrangements can be made.
What if I do not speak English?
The centre is not able to provide interpreting services. If required, families are asked to make their own arrangements for their pre-visit and for the contact.
Welcome leaflets are available in several languages:
Are there any rules?
There are few rules, but the following DO apply:
- Alcohol is NOT permitted into the Centre
- You should not come if you have been drinking or using drugs
- Smoking is NOT allowed within the Centre
- Children should not be left unattended at the Centre (a parent must be supervising the child(ren)).
- Only photos of your own child can be taken and never uploaded onto social media sites.
We hope that this will answer all your questions. If you are not happy with any aspect of the service you receive, or can suggest ways in which the Centre can be improved, please speak to one of the volunteers or contact the coordinator.
The Contact Centre operates to an agreed set of policies. These can be viewed on request at the Centre or by application to the coordinator.
Anything else I need to know?
We understand that contact may be difficult for you, and may bring back painful memories. But we hope you will put the needs of your children first and help them to make the most of their time at the Centre.
Do you have a question?
You may still have questions having read through this page, if you need more information or clarification please contact us.
Next: Policies