Supervised Family Time & Supervised Contact in Kent
Child-centred, professionally supervised family time led by an experienced Senior Children’s Social Worker
Supporting children and families across Kent and the South East in community, family and other agreed settings where individually assessed as safe and appropriate.
What is supervised family time?
Supervised family time, sometimes referred to as supervised contact, provides children with an opportunity to spend time with a parent or other significant family member while an appropriately experienced professional is present.
At Edorien Family Services, supervision is about more than simply being present. Family time is approached from the perspective of the child, with careful attention to their experience, emotional cues, relationships and individual needs.
The aim is to support family time that is safe, meaningful and child-centred, while providing clear and balanced professional observations where these are required.
Where can supervised family time take place?
Family time does not always need to take place in a traditional contact-room setting.
Where individually assessed as safe and appropriate, and consistent with any court direction or agreed family-time plan, sessions can take place in settings that are familiar, meaningful and appropriate for the child.
This may include community settings, family homes, parks, cafés, play spaces, activities or other agreed locations.
Spending time together in everyday environments can provide opportunities for children and their family members to interact more naturally. It can also allow professional observation of relationships, routines, communication, responsiveness, boundaries and practical care in situations that may not arise within a contact room.
The setting will always be considered on an individual basis, with the child’s safety, needs and experience at the centre of planning.
What does professional supervision involve?
Professional supervision involves more than observing whether family time went well.
Drawing on children’s social work experience, observation considers the child’s presentation and emotional cues alongside areas such as parental responsiveness, warmth and attunement, communication, boundaries, routines, practical care and co-regulation.
Attention is given to both strengths and areas that may require further consideration, while remaining focused on what is actually observed during the session.
Where reporting is required, Edorien Family Services provides clear, balanced records that distinguish between direct observation, professional interpretation and reasonable analytical conclusions.
The role is not to predetermine outcomes, but to provide child-focused observation and evidence that can support families and professional decision-making.
Who can enquire?
Enquiries about supervised family time are welcomed from parents and families, family-law solicitors, local authorities and other children’s professionals.
You do not need to be a professional to make an initial enquiry. Parents and family members can contact Edorien Family Services directly to discuss whether the service may be suitable for their circumstances.
Before family time begins, the circumstances and proposed arrangements will be considered to ensure the service can safely and appropriately meet the child’s and family’s needs.
Where there is a court order, existing family-time plan or professional involvement, relevant information may be required before arrangements can be agreed.
What happens next?
1. Make an enquiry
Contact Edorien Family Services with a brief outline of the family-time arrangements you are seeking. Please do not send sensitive information about a child or family at the initial enquiry stage.
2. Initial assessment and set-up
Before sessions begin, relevant information will be gathered and the proposed arrangements considered. This helps identify any safeguarding issues, individual needs, risks and practical arrangements so that family time can be planned appropriately.
3. Family time begins
Sessions take place in the agreed setting and are professionally supervised with the child’s safety, experience and relationships at the centre.
4. Recording and reporting
A standard session report is provided following supervised family time. Where more detailed professional analysis is required, a comprehensive analytical report can be agreed separately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I arrange supervised family time myself?
Yes. Parents and family members can make an initial enquiry directly with Edorien Family Services. Enquiries are also welcomed from solicitors, local authorities and other children’s professionals. The circumstances will be discussed before any arrangements are agreed.
Can supervised family time take place at home or in the community?
Yes, where this has been individually assessed as safe and appropriate. Depending on the child’s needs and circumstances, family time may take place in a family home, community setting, park, café, activity venue or another agreed location. Any court direction or existing family-time plan will also be taken into account.
Do I need a court order to use the service?
Not necessarily. Families may enquire directly whether or not there is a court order. Where there is an existing court order, agreement or professional plan relating to family time, relevant information may be required before arrangements can begin.
Will I receive a report after supervised family time?
Yes. A standard session report is included with supervised family time. Where a solicitor, local authority or other professional requires more detailed analysis, a comprehensive analytical report can be agreed separately.
Fees & Availability
Supervised family time is available across Kent and the South East, with sessions considered in community, family and other agreed settings where assessed as safe and appropriate.
Initial Assessment & Set-Up: £85 per family
Weekday Supervised Family Time: £70 per hour
Weekend Supervised Family Time: £75 per hour
A standard session report is included. Where a comprehensive analytical report or additional professional work is required, this is charged at £42 per hour.
Travel, mileage and any venue or other agreed expenses may apply depending on the location and arrangements. Full details are available in the Edorien Family Services 2027 Fee Schedule.