All-Party Parliamentary Group on Child Contact Centres update.

The second Parliamentary Group meeting was held in December. We had a good meeting Chaired by Chris Leslie MP and were joined by the Family Justice Young People’s Board, Lord Listowel, Sharon Martin from Cafcass, Liz Walsh, Editor of Family Law, Baroness Hollins’ staff and Michael Lewkowicz from Families Need Fathers.

We agreed to seek guidance and advice on progressing Baroness Anne McIntosh’s Child Contact Centre (Accreditation) Bill from our President Sir James Munby and Sir Patron Sir Andrew McFarlane. Jess Phillips MP suggested adding amendments to the forthcoming Domestic Abuse Bill, which we will consider, and we are also looking to table the Bill as a ‘10 Minute Rule Bill’ which will raise awareness of Child Contact Centres in Parliament. We are also due to meeting with the Minister Lucy Frazer QC MP this year to discuss progressing the Departments ‘Out of Court Pathway’ research. The meeting will be hosted by Caroline Dinenage MP.

Parliamentary debate

Philip Davies MP raised Child Contact Centres in a Parliamentary debate on 29 November considered ‘International Men’s Day’.

‘….the National Association of Child Contact Centres, which says that more than 1 million children have no contact whatever with one parent or another after separation. I want to place on record my thanks to everybody who works at the Bingley contact centre. They are all volunteers, and they give up their time week in, week out to make sure that parents get to see their children and—just as importantly, if not more importantly—that those children get to see their parents. It is fantastic to see the reaction of the children when they see the parent who has previously been alienated from them.’

Invite your MP and snap up £50! 

Following our announcement last year this is to remind you of NACCC’s photo competition 2019. We are looking for the ‘best Child Contact Centre picture with an MP’ with a prize of £50 up for grabs. Photos will be judged by the Family Justice Young People’s Board and the winner will be announced at this year’s AGM (to be held in October or November 2019).

Guidance:

  1. Photos must not include parents, children or anyone under the age of 18.
  2. Any person in the photo must give their consent. You will find that MPs are happy to gain coverage in this way.
  3. All photos must be appropriate and reflect the values and ethos of child contact.
  4. But they can also be FUN! Ball pits and teddy bears are allowed!
  5. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the NACCC office.

The closing date for sending photos in is 30th September 2019. Photos must be sent by email marked ‘MP Photo competition’ to contact@naccc.org.uk The judges’ decision is final.

Get inspired…

To get you inspired… checkout these photos taken at recent child contact centre visits.

Cheryl Gillan MP visits @ChilternChildCC to find out more about the valuable service contact centres provide to the community. She was delighted to meet some of our #volunteers and our resident teddy! @NACCCofficial are encouraging all MPs to visit centres in their constituency.
Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP “Usually under very difficult personal family circumstances, Church Street Child Contact Centre facilitates meetings of a child with their other parent in a safe space. Great organisation always seeking donations to keep going – lovely to meet with the team.”

Richard Daniels, Government Relations Adviser

Catch up on what has been happening in our latest news since the last issue

Sir James Munby endorses the work of NACCC and child contact centres at NACCC ‘s conference “Changing role in child contact centres”

UK Government urged to use early intervention to help children experiencing childhood adversity and trauma

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