Parenting shouldn’t end when relationships do
The National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) was founded in Nottingham in 1991 with the establishment of the first Child Contact Centre. It is a registered charity, and an umbrella organisation which sets the National Standards to which Child Contact Centres must work.
Child Contact Centres are neutral places where children of separated families can enjoy contact with non-resident parents and sometimes other family members, in a comfortable and safe environment. Every year, this national organisation via its member centres, support families and children in their local community.
There are accredited member centres throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. They are operated by a variety of independent organisations that form the membership of NACCC. NACCC is unique in the service it provides for local Contact Centres.
Many of our members, provide ‘Supported Contact’ They are predominantly open on alternate Saturdays. These centres are only suitable for families that are deemed to present minimal risk of violence or abuse. In some cases, a higher level of supervision is needed because a child or parent is at risk of harm. These are ‘Supervised Contact Centres‘ and are used in these situations, but also can be used to reintroduce a child to a parent where there has been a substantial gap in contact.
NACCC has an accreditation process which ensures members meet national standards. An assessor visits every three years to ensure that the centres comply with DBS checks, health and safety legislation, that HR practices are carried out appropriate, their financial situation, their operating procedures are in accordance with the standards, and safeguarding procedures are in place. The assessor then submits a report to NACCC. If the centre does not comply with all areas, an action plan is issued which is time limited.
NACCC also delivers high quality training and support to ensure members are well equipped and knowledgeable. In addition, there is a helpline which centres, and parents can ring for advice and guidance, and a safeguarding helpline in the event of an issue arising at the centre.
Vision statement
A child contact service that works better for children.
Mission statement
Parenting shouldn’t end when relationships do.
Our values are:
Improvement: NACCC will seek continual improvement in our work, to demonstrate leadership in our behaviours and professionalism in our external engagement. We will provide leadership, support and training to all child contact centres and volunteers to improve the quality of services for children.
Transparency: NACCC will be transparent in everything we do. In our practices as a charity and in our approach to operations and leadership.
Neutrality: NACCC will remain neutral at all times in our work with children, parent and wider family members. We will be non-judgemental in our approach and handling of children and family situations and behaviours.
Empathy: We will remain, at all times, empathetic to the children and families we support. We aspire to create a culture, across accredited child contact centres and services, which is sympathetic and sensitive to the backgrounds, behaviours and situations of children and their wider families, while seeking constructive outcomes for each and every case.
Equality and diversity
NACCC is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging diversity and promotes equal opportunities for all, irrespective of colour, race, religion or belief, ethnic or national origins, gender, marital/civil partnership status, sexual orientation, disability or age. NACCC is committed to reflecting the diversity of the UK and to making its services accessible to all. We oppose all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination.
- NACCC aims to create and sustain an inclusive work environment, providing equality of opportunity for everyone. Our aim is that our workforce will be truly representative of all sections of society.
- All NACCC child contact centres and services must be committed to providing an equal service regardless of race, skin colour, ethnic origin, nationality, gender, age or sexual orientation or religion. Furthermore, no-one must be disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be justifiable. The staffing and facilities at a child contact centre would wherever possible reflect the area in which it is located.
- Any centre user or volunteer, committee member or staff member behaving in an offensive manner that contravenes the centre’s equal opportunities and diversity policy will either be warned as to their future conduct or asked to leave.
- Child contact centres should ensure that their facilities are compliant with disability legislation and provide an appropriate service for children, parents and volunteers/staff with additional needs.
