Unregulated Child Contact Centres: Risks 2026-09-15
2026-09-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A report commissioned by the Ministry of Justice found limited evidence of unaccredited child contact centres. Protocols direct families to accredited centres by the National Association of Child Contact Centres, but there are issues with cost and accessibility.
What assessment has the government made of the risks to children and families from the use of unregulated child contact centres? Protocols require referrals to accredited centres, but families face issues with cost and accessibility.
A report commissioned by the Ministry of Justice and published in 2023 found limited evidence of unaccredited child contact centres. Protocols make it clear that as part of family court proceedings, the judiciary and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service should refer families only to centres accredited by the National Association of Child Contact Centres. There are, however, clearly issues with the sector, in terms of cost and accessibility, and we will always seek to improve it.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assessment of risks to children and families was not provided
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Parents using unregulated contact centres face high costs and limited accessibility, potentially impacting children's welfare and parental contact.
In cases where family court proceedings lead to child removal, parents can be forced to use unregulated contact centres, costing hundreds of pounds for just a few hours of contact, because of a lack of accessible, regulated contact centre provision. What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of this situation on the welfare of children and families, and will his Department initiate a review of current arrangements?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising this important issue. Where it is safe to do so, we would always encourage parents to have contact with their children. The courts encourage this; it is always in the child's best interests to have that contact. Where contact centres are necessary, they need to be close to home and, clearly, affordable. This sector is independent of Government, but if it is not working, as we are hearing from my hon. Friend, we will look into it in due course.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific assessment of impact on welfare or timeline for review
Response accuracy