Venue details
Address (not for correspondence):
Innovation Central, John Williams Boulevard South, Central Park,
Darlington, Durham, DL1 1BF
Opening hours
Days & Times: Weekdays - 1-3 and 4-6 (other times available by request only). Weekends - 10-12, 1-3 and 4-6
Centre charges
This centre sends out a price list to families on request.
Services available here
Supported family time
Supervised family time
Supervised family time assessment
Escorted family time
Life story identity family time
Accepts self referrals
Enhanced Accredited
Virtual family time (Supported)
Virtual family time (Supervised)
Not For Profit
This centre is accredited to provide supervised contact
Accreditation is a way of checking that your contact centre is safe and meets our standards.
How is a centre checked?
An assessorSomeone working on our behalf who has experience and an interest in child contact services and must assess if a service meets our standards. looks round the centre’s rooms, toys, equipment, and any outside play areas to make sure that they are safe and good for you to use. They talk with the people at the centre to make sure that they are trained and helped to do their job as well as possible. They then check the informationThe assessor checks through the centre’s accreditation portfolio which includes policies, procedures, risk assessments, reports (if the service offers supervised contact) and information for families. on what happens at the centre and how it keeps you safe. If your family time happens in the community The service might use local community venues to deliver their service or in some cases, residential properties including family members’ homes, where this is safe and appropriate., then the assessor will check that this is going to be safe for you.
When the assessor is happy that a centre meets our standards then they are awarded their accreditation and you can find them on this website. Accreditation happens every three years with extra checks if needed.
Accreditation Summary
Date: 09/09/2024
Summary:
The Family Tree Centre CIC is a new service based in Darlington. The centre operates from an office block building situated close to the town centre and is on main bus routes and close to the railway station. There is a secure car park, entered via a buzzer system and has its own secure entrance.
The centre has a range of contact rooms which have been decorated and furnished to a high standard and is accessible for those with mobility issues.
The centre has a detailed, bright, and inviting leaflets available with a range of information included on these for the children and families that may use the centre. This information helps them to anticipate everything from making a referral to the appropriate steps to take if they are unhappy or feel unsafe.
The staff were welcoming and along with the Managing Director are extremely keen that the best experience possible will be offered to families. The centre meets the standards for enhanced (supervised) contact accreditation.
Centre testimonials
" Barbara and her team provide an outstanding service at The Family Tree Centre in Darlington. Their hard work has achieved enhanced naccc accreditation, providing a child centred service which puts the children at the heart of their ethos. The centre is calm and welcoming providing for all needs. They are empathic and caring, supporting parents and children in some challenging situations. I don’t know where we would be without them! Thank you. "
Visiting Parent
"I had the pleasure of using the family tree center to maintain contact with my child, and I can’t speak highly enough of the service they provided. From start to finish, the team was professional, compassionate, and highly efficient. They created a safe and welcoming environment, which made the whole experience so much easier and more positive for both me and my child. They were able to go above and beyond for me and even met me in the community to facilitate contact for me. Communication was always clear, appointments were well-organized, and the staff went out of their way to accommodate our needs. Most importantly, they treated my situation with empathy and respect, which made a world of difference. Thanks to their support, I was able to maintain a consistent and meaningful connection with my child. I’m truly grateful for their dedication and the care they put into every interaction. Highly recommended."
Visiting Parent
"I was worried before coming to the centre as I had always imagined contact centres as very clinical and cold places where you are made to feel uncomfortable with eyes watching you from everywhere. This couldn't be further from the truth. The family tree center is staffed by incredibly friendly and welcoming staff that make every visit a great experience for me and my child. The centre is a comfortable and fun place to spend your time with lots of available options to entertain yourselves throughout your visit. The support given by the staff is second to none. Given the reason a lot of people end up at places like this is genuinely incredible to find such a warm place."
Visiting Parent
"Our experience with the family tree was nothing but Fantastic. Barbara and the team went above and beyond to make myself and girls feel comfortable, welcomed and the girls enjoyed their time at thr centre. Barbara went above and beyond in every circumstance that she was up against and i cant thank her enough for the work and effort that was put into my girls time at the centre when seeing their mother. Barbara and the centre accommodated for every possible scenario, and the girls always felt safe and comfortable. Its a shame contact no longer progressed due to reasons out of the centres control. But i would recommend this centre to anyone that requires supervised time for their children. Many thanks to everyone at the family tree."
Resident Parent
" Thank you Barbara – It is real good progress for XX and his parents and I have to say I don’t think we would be at this stage without your excellent service."
CAFCASS FCA
"I'm so grateful to you Barbara. The conversation you and I had was incredibly useful in helping us think about how to move forward with contact. You were also so supportive to me when I was quite at my wits end. I really appreciate that. "
SGO Carer
"The Family Tree Centre has provided outstanding support throughout my high-conflict family court case. Their team has consistently delivered the right advice and maintained a strong child focused approach during extremely difficult and emotional circumstances. The staff are highly knowledgeable in social work and deeply attuned to the emotional needs of children. Their professionalism and dedication have played a critical role in helping my children and I maintain a connection during a very challenging period. The centre itself is well designed: the spacious layout, calming art, and child friendly lighting create a welcoming and secure environment. The facilities also ensure privacy, allowing for meaningful and uninterrupted time with the children. Convenient parking is an added benefit. Without the involvement and continued support of The Family Tree Centre, I do not believe I would be able to see my children today. They have been an essential support to our family during this process."
Visiting Parent
"This is the best contact centre experience we have had to date. Barbara and her team have taken the time to listen and explore our needs and have applied them in an empathic and enthusiastic way which has given me great confidence as a parent. The centre itself feels fresh and fun with lots of sensory toys, yet has a tranquil feel, which I feel will be appreciated by children or all ages and walks of life. A real gem for the Darlington community"
Resident Parent
"The girls really loved it there today I'm very happy that they will be using your facility."
Resident Parent
"Thank you for everything today Barbara, I was very nervous as I have never been to a contact centre before but you made me feel very welcome and at ease and the centre was beautiful and very well equipped which made the visit much more enjoyable. I look forward to coming again next week. Thank you again."
Visiting Parent
"Hi Barbara, I wanted to take a moment to sincerely thank you for the support and guidance you provided in supervising contact during this time. Your involvement has been invaluable, and I deeply appreciate the care, professionalism, and consistency you’ve shown throughout the process. As a qualified social worker I work with many professionals and agencies, however the Family Tree Centre has been outstanding with their support, often going above and beyond, whilst keeping the children’s needs at the heart of your work. Your efforts helped ensure that communication remained respectful, safe, and in the best interests of everyone involved. I recognize that these situations can be complex and sensitive, and your balanced approach has brought a great deal of reassurance and clarity. It made a real difference to know that there was a reliable and impartial presence overseeing the contact. Your recording of the family time has been accurate, child focused and factual which has been very important during the court process. The speed of the report writing and communication has been excellent. Not only has your team supervised contact you have offered a bespoke piece of one to one direct work with a young person who has suffered childhood trauma. This work is above and beyond your role, however you have embraced this and ensured that the young person has felt supported and nurtured in this difficult time. The work has been so valuable that the family and young person have asked for further sessions, which evidences how effective the work has been. I have sincerely thank you Barbara and Sam for supporting this family, for making my job easier and for ensuring that the children were safe and secure, whilst promoting their identity need. I do hope we cross paths in the future. Many thanks Social Worker Somerset Council"
Social Worker
"Thanks Barbara thanks for being there when our family needed you most, I didn't know what to expect from a contact centre when I first came but I think you have a brilliant environment where you are Keep up the good work you do!!!"
Visiting Parent
"I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your help and support. I do appreciate everything you've done to try and help us."
Resident Parent
"Thank you so much for all the help and support we have received since coming to the family tree centre, not just for the kids but for the help you gave me too it really was appreciated! "
SGO Carer
"I also want to thank you because I know this is an incredibly complex situation to navigate. My experience with you and your team has been very positive, and I have full confidence in your services. It’s clear you bring a wealth of experience, and I’m truly grateful for the support you bring with the children's best interests at heart."
Resident Parent
"I had reason to use The Family Tree contact centre facilities for three months recently. This was to allow a safe space for my grandson to see his parents. I cannot praise Barbara and her team highly enough. They were super professional at all times making my grandson and all the "grown ups" feel very welcome but also the centre was very clean, warm and with lots of added extras that aren't found at other contact centres such as TV streaming for if little ones start to get restless and snacks to purchase if lunch has been forgotten. Thank you Barbara and team. You made a very stressful time so much easier than it may been."
SGO Carer
"I would like to thank you for the time you and the centre have given to myself and the children, as this has been the only meaningful contact, I have been able to have with them over the past two years. I wish the centre all the best in your future endeavours"
Visiting Parent
"I have very much appreciated the wonderful letterbox service offered by Family Tree Centre. The folks I have dealt with there have been very kind, courteous and helpful. I would definitely recommend their service."
Visiting Parent
"I cannot express how much Barbara and all at family tree centre have helped me and my children. I had not seen my children for nearly 14 months but Barbara and the whole team made the process of reconnecting me and my children very relaxed and easy. They have been there every step of the way and they go above and beyond to make sure you get the most out of their service. I highly recommend The Family Tree Centre."
Visiting Parent
"Thank you for your assistance throughout this process. Working with The Family Tree Centre has been such a positive experience."
Solicitor
"The Judge gave the Family Tree praise for the help and support you have given the family; there is a really positive future ahead. "
CAFCASS FCA
"Barbara and the team at The Family Tree Centre have been incredible throughout our time with them. They are truly child-focused in everything they do, and they always made sure our child’s welfare and comfort were their top priority. The staff go above and beyond to make the environment calm, welcoming, and supportive for both children and parents. The centre itself is well equipped, with thoughtful touches like sensory toys and calm spaces that really help children feel safe and at ease! It’s clear how dedicated they are to helping families through what can be difficult circumstances. I’m so grateful for their kindness, professionalism, and the care they’ve shown us. It’s been an absolute pleasure working with them, and I can't thank you all enough!"
Resident Parent
"As a mum, I want to say how grateful I am to Barbara and The Family Tree Centre for everything they have done for my little girl. Barbara is incredibly kind, patient and truly child-focused. She always puts the child’s wellbeing first and treats every family with care and respect. My daughter felt happy and comfortable with her, and as a mum that means the world to me. My daughter also loved Leon, the therapy dog — he brought her so much comfort and made the environment even more welcoming. Family Tree is warm, supportive and professional. The centre is consistent and transparent, and they only make changes to support the child and their wellbeing. Barbara communicates clearly, supports both parents, and maintains a calm, stable environment. She goes above and beyond to make sure children feel secure and that contact is handled properly and sensitively. Thank you, Barbara, and Family Tree team for your dedication and for continuing to help families with so much compassion. Your recent award is truly deserved — you make a real difference."
Visiting Parent
"Fantastic centre totally focused on the children and the best outcomes for them."
Visiting Parent
"I was waiting until after court to send an email to thank both you and Sam for all the support with X. It wasn’t ideal for him at all to be in the contact centre but you both made it comfortable for him and he enjoyed his time in there and also felt confident with Sam in the much recent sessions when she had done the hand overs. I also want to thank you for the cost being reduced this month as they massively helped in order for me to buy X Christmas presents as-well as see him every week without financial struggle. I will update you on the outcome tomorrow, I hope you both have a lovely Christmas. "
Visiting Parent
"I just wanted to say a big thank you to yourself and Sam for all the help and making X feel so comfortable."
Resident Parent
"I am writing to let you know that we will no longer be requiring the services of The Family Tree Centre. I want to express my sincere appreciation for the support you and your team have provided - we have always been very happy with the care and professionalism shown."
Resident Parent
"🌳TFTC are proud to share our latest feedback results! 🌳 ✅ Professionalism: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Communication: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Facilities: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Staff: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ (4.90 stars!) ✅ Response Time: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Integrity & Unbiased Practice: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ✅ Overall Experience: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ We’re delighted to see such positive recognition across all areas of our work. 💜 Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences — your voices inspire us to keep growing and serving our community with care, integrity, and excellence. #FamilyTreeCentre #CommunitySupport #5StarFeedback #ExcellenceInAction"
Current Families
"Just wanted to add that i massively appreicate you the last few weeks. Its been really good and Its a great space, a great model. And youre doing a great job. "
Visiting Parent
"I have been using this centre for some months its absolutely perfect. The staff are amazing and go above and beyond to make my visit with my son perfect. I would highly recommend anyone to use this service. 5* service all round"
Visiting Parent
"I wish to leave this review for The Family Tree who supported weekly contact sessions at their contact centre in Darlington. The staff were polite and professional throughout the 6 months period I was supported. They always went above and beyond supporting me and my children to ensure all contacts were positive and enriching for the child. They showed care and kindness at all times when supporting my young children to navigate a stressful period. They are always solution focused and endeavour to final solutions as opposed to creating barriers. An example they ensured they opened on a Saturday over Xmas to make as a father I was able to see my children over the holidays. They provided, reports and additional information to the courts / cafcass well in advance on a deadlines or schedules. For those like me who weren't open or offered options vial Social Services they provide a vital option private contact centre in the North East of England and as a business they fully deserve all the success and recognition."
Visiting Parent
"I just want to say the biggest thank you so much for everything you done for x today, I can't even begin to imagine how stressful it was going backwards and forwards. You managed to get something that x and myself thought was totally out of reach. Now thanks to you she will be given the chance to actually be a mum and do something that I'm sure a lot of us parents take for granted. Such a huge step, I know it must have been hard but Go You. You honestly are a rockstar and we appreciate you and all your hard work so just wanted you to know. Thank you so much again "
PA Darlington Borough Council
"The Family Tree is such a lovely contact centre for me to attend to see my grandson so much to do lots of different toys for all ages books activities we love it there "
Visiting Grandma
" If we don't see you again, take care. Thank you for being understanding and supportive throughout this process"
Resident Parent
"This is amazing such lovely contact; your recordings are fantastic they really allow me to understand the sessions as if I was actually there. Thank you very much"
CAFCASS Guardian
" I do really appreciate what you have been doing. I know it’s for the kids that you do what you do but it’s also really helping me as well. I’m very thankful to have found your service "
Visiting Parent
" Thanks for your time a few weeks back to discuss the referral you received from x and x for x supervised visits with x I’m not sure if you received the reports from the x or if you had a conversation with x that was similar to the one you had with me, but the good news is x has agreed for this months visit to be x and I supervising x with x out in the community. That’s a big step in the right direction and means we can dispense with the need for a contact centre. I would just like to let you know that we’re grateful for your help nudging us and x to move forward like this. I wish x had done this on our behalf a little earlier! "
Visiting Uncle
"Hi Barbara, just to say that we are now moving forward for X with a gradated schedule of unsupervised contact with a final hearing soon, thanks so much for all you've done for X."
Resident Parent
"I just wanted to take the time to say thank you for everything you have done and the support and advice you have given me along the way. It's a huge shame myself and X cannot see out or last months (hopefully) of supervised contact with yourself and I know she enjoyed the time we all spent together at The Family Tree Centre. I appreciate everything and thank you again."
Visiting Parent
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for everything you have done for me and X. Having recently received the report, it really reinforced just how much I appreciate the care professionalism, and support you provide throughout this process, you have been amazing, and I honestly feel that you are one of the best people I have ever come across in a supervised contact setting. Over the years, I have worked with various professionals and social workers, but the support and experience we have had through The Family Tree Centre CIC has been the most positive by far your dedication, understanding, and the way you carry out your role have made a real difference to both me and X. I am also very grateful that X suggested this arrangement looking back if it wasn’t a lesson, it was certainly a blessing, because it led us to such a positive experience and to having your support throughout thank you again for everything you do. It is genuinely appreciated more than words can express."
Visiting Parent
"Thankyou Barbara. I just want to say thank you for going above and beyond; you are special. It means the world too me and my little family the things you are doing. The talking parent’s app was your idea, and it was the best video call us as a family have had, x and x and Xs brother on Tuesday actually getting along for 47 minutes."
Visiting Parent
"Hi Barbara I would like to thank you for the support given to our family throughout. I am extremely happy with the outcome of this transition. I cannot express my gratefulness for the work you have done and will continue to help other families. I hope you have a happy future as without you mine would not be , so once again thank you so much."
Visiting Parent
"Thank you very much Barbara. We really appreciate the way you have been able to make the carers feel comfortable during a difficult process, your responsiveness and quality of the reports. "
Service Manager - Local Authority
"Dear X and X I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the valuable support you have provided to our team over the past few weeks. Throughout your involvement, you have been professional, compassionate, and highly responsive to the needs of both the children and the foster family. Your approach has been greatly appreciated, and the family has provided very positive feedback about your visits and the support you have offered during what has been a particularly challenging time. As you know, the children are generally reluctant to engage with social workers other than their allocated social worker, X. Given this, I appreciate that building a relationship and engaging effectively with them may not have been easy. Thank you once again for your dedication, professionalism, and kindness. Your support has been invaluable, and highly significant. Your dedication, encouragement, and practical support throughout this process have been greatly appreciated. I am genuinely short of words to express how grateful I am for everything you have both done."
Supervising Social Worker
"I am particularly impressed with Barbara at TFTC. She provides incredibly comprehensive and analytical reports which a great a great aid in my role in private law work. Barbara provides bespoke supervised and supported sessions that are child focussed. Barbara is excellent professional and provides a great service that I can reply upon."
CAFCASS Guardian
Photos from this centre
