Referral Process

Referral Process

Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre accepts referrals from Courts, Solicitors, Court Children’s Officers and Social Services. We also consider self-referrals.

The referral form must be completed by the referring body and all relevant information included (eg. need for an interpreter). The referral form should state any details relating to the contact order and any exclusion orders. The referral form should be sent to the Co-Ordinator either by post or email.

Referral form must be completed and pre visit arranged before contact can commerceYou can download the form or complete online by selecting the appropriate link on the right.

The parties are invited separately to view the Centre to help alleviate any anxiety the process can cause. The parties will be given information about Mid Ulster Child Contact Centre and will be asked to read and sign an agreement to use the Centre, which clearly states the roles and responsibilities of all involved. The parties will be given information on the policies and procedures of the Centre.

The Centre will only facilitate contact in line with the agreed conditions in the order (eg. Grandparents, Siblings, etc). All changes to contact must be negotiated through the referrer. The Centre cannot take responsibility for parties changing arrangements.

The Centre staff will note arrival and departure times only, unless concerns arise regarding the welfare of the child.

The service is aimed at helping children to retain and build the relationship with the parent they no longer live with. At MUCCC, we try to provide as natural an environment as possible, with lots of activities that help the children and adults to communicate and interact in a positive manner.

However, current research does indicate that children should not be forced into contact against their wishes and if there is reluctance from the child, or the child does not settle, then alternatives should be sought (Birchall – Gore 2007). Alternatives can be discussed between the solicitors, with the advice of the Court Children’s Officer and the Court.

Judge Philpott stated that those involved on contact cases, whether solicitors or parents, should recognise that solutions must be found that are in the best interests of the children involved and not the adults.