Unregulated Child Contact Centres: Risks
2026-09-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
A report by the Ministry of Justice in 2023 found limited evidence of unaccredited child contact centres. Families are referred to accredited centres by the judiciary and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
What assessment has the government made of the risks to children and families from the use of unregulated child contact centres? Are there clear issues with the sector in terms of 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 issues with unregulated centres not addressed, only general commitment to improve
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Parents may be forced to use unregulated contact centres due to a lack of accessible, regulated centres, which can be costly. This can affect the welfare of children and families.
In cases where children are removed from families, parents can be forced to use unregulated contact centres because of a lack of accessible, regulated 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
Specific review not committed, only stated to look into if not working
Response accuracy