Supervised Access Program (SAP)

SAFE, CHILD-FOCUSED, and NEUTRAL

The Supervised Access Program is funded by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services and run locally by Family Service Kent. As a non-profit organization, Family Service Kent works with its funder to provide services that support safe and regular visits between children and adult caregivers. Our services may be helpful for you and your family if you have experienced any of the following:

Ongoing conflict between caregivers has made it difficult for regular visits to happen.
One of the caregivers is not allowing regular visits to take place or is not following a court order.
It has been a long time since a caregiver and a child have had visits with one another and a supervised reintroduction may help.
Addictions or mental health issues have made regular visits between a caregiver and children difficult.
There are concerns over the way a caregiver parents their children.
There is a history of intimate partner violence or child abuse.
There have been allegations of child sexual abuse.

What services are offered?

Our Supervised Access Program provides two (2) very important services to children and families:

Supervised Visits

Supervised visits take place on site at the Supervised Access Centre. Trained staff are always present and never leave children alone with their visiting relative. The staff help make sure that the visits are child-focused and safe. The staff also take factual notes of what happens during visit time that can be provided to lawyers or the courts, if needed. The program provides two (2) hour visits at a time.

Supervised Exchanges

Sometimes there is no need for supervised visits but ongoing conflict between caregivers makes it difficult or unsafe for children to go from one household to another. To assist families, the Centre provides supervised exchanges that ensure caregivers do not see one another and there is no arguing or violence in front of children. Staff also take brief factual notes during pick up and drop off times at the Centre.

How do I apply for Service?

You can apply for service by contacting the Supervised Access Program directly. An application can be sent to you by mail or e-mail.

Once the Program Supervisor receives the packages back from both caregivers involved, they will call to set up separate intake appointments.

What do I need to bring for my intake interview?

It is important that you bring the following items to your intake appointment:

A Family Court Order or Mutual Written Agreement signed by both parties outlining both custody (whether interim or permanent) and access (supervised, unsupervised, duration, etc)
A piece of photo-identification (usually driver’s license but any photo will work)
Child(ren)’s health cards (if you are the custodial parent)
Proof of income to help determine fees
Any no-contact, restraining orders, or recognizance orders
Any clinical assessments that have been completed in the past (Office of the Children’s Lawyer, a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, etc)
Information regarding which vehicle, if possible, you will be using to travel to and from the Centre (year, make, model, license plate number)
Any other documents that the Supervised Access Coordinator deems would be useful in providing service to you.