B4.2 Relationship breakdown and re-partnering
Keeping them Connected: Delivering trauma informed enhanced children's contact services for families through COVID-19
Abstract:
The impact of the COVID-19 crisis has left a significant mark on children and their well-being. For many this impact can be likened to going through a collective trauma – one never experienced before. Children were cut off from family, friends, school and social activities and for many this isolation impacted not only their mental health, but that of their parents. (Tucci, J. Mitchell, J. and Thomas, L. August 2020). Where children and families were experiencing stress and challenges relating to separation and supervised contact, the potential for further traumatisation was evident.
The Family Life Children’s Contact Service delivers high quality, trauma informed services through delivery of an Enhanced Therapeutic Children’s Contact Service (CCS)/Parenting Orders Program (POP) model. This paper will provide an overview of the model and its operation during, and now, as we emerge from the COVID 19 pandemic.
We will demonstrate the way this 8 session enhanced model:
- reduces wait times for families accessing supervised visits and changeovers
- ensures that the child’s best interests are kept at the centre of the contact process
- supports parents (and the child’s significant others) to enhance their communication, conflict reduction and parenting skills
- assist families to comply with their Court Orders
- helps families exit the CCS as scheduled and meet Court dates
- focuses on transition to self-management in a safe and timely manner.
This Children’s Contact Service model is delivered collaboratively between the POP Specialist Practitioners and the CCS Workers to address underlying trauma and give additional support to children and parents experiencing many complex issues. Children receive specialist trauma informed support as they progress through the CCS, whilst parents are assisted to comply with their Court Orders and manage and resolve conflict through individual sessions and psycho educational post separation group work. This model has reduced wait times and supports families in a safe and timely manner to meet Court dates and where it is safe to do so, helps families to transition to self-management of their parenting arrangements.
REFERENCE: Tucci, J., Mitchell, J. and Thomas, L. (August 2020). A Lasting Legacy –The Impact of COVID-19 on children and parents. Australian Childhood Foundation, Melbourne. Aug 2020
Biography:
Kathy has been with Family Life since 2012, working with Court Ordered separated families and managing the Children’s Contact Services and Parenting Orders Program. These programs support separated parents to focus on the best interest of their children and build and strengthen family relationships.
From July 2018 until funding ceased in September 2020, Kathy managed and delivered the Unite Family Engagement Program to men and women inmates across five Prisons in Victoria.
In Oct 2020, she resumed management of the Children’s Contact Service and Parenting Orders Program and the Family and Relationship Service was added to become the Family Connections Team. Family Connections sits within the Family Engagement Program of Family Law Services at Family Life.