SUPERVISED PARENTING TIME & EXCHANGES

What Can Be Done to Ensure the Child's Well-Bing During the Other Parent's time?
When the court has concerns about the well-being of a child during parenting time of the other parent or during transfers, the court may order that the visits or the transfers are supervised. An approved supervisor can be a family member, a friend, or a trusted person in the community. Sometimes there is no one willing and able to do this that the parties have confidence in. Sometimes professional supervision is required.

 

If the parties can afford it, a social worker can supervise visits on a one-on-one basis. These workers can also provide parenting support and training.

 

The government of Ontario funds the supervise "access" programs in Ontario.

 

The Peel Supervised Access Program is operated by Social Enterprise for Canada, a not-for-profit corporation. Details of their service is available on their website.

 

What Are the Benefits of a Supervised "Access" Program?
Supervise parenting time can benefit not only the child, but also the access parent. It provides:

• a controlled, neutral environment

• trained, neutral supervisors

• a focus on making the location and the experience child-friendly

• a buffer between the parties

• written observations of visits available

 

The visits reports are very helpful to a judge in determining the interaction between parent and child.  It also shows the behavior of the visiting parent, at least when being observed. 

 

This service is indented as a temporary measure.  It can help move the case forward to less intrusive, longer term parenting time  arrangements.

 

What are Supervised Exchanges?
The Program offers a very good option for transfer of the child when:

• there is high-conflict between the parents,

• when tracking of when and if people attend is required,

• when some observations during transfer would be helpful

 

This service requires fewer resources and is a longer term option than supervised parenting time.  Over time, any cases should move from supervised visits to supervise exchanges.

 

What are the Limitations of the Program?

• Although the government subsidizes the Program, modest fees are also charged.  
   

• There are limited resources and a great demand.  They can only offer visits of two hours, every other week. The days and times available for visits and transfers are very restricted.
   

• While the visits occur in a child friendly environment, it is a controlled environment, people are watching, and there are other parents having supervised visits.
   

• There are many rules and regulations.  Some people struggle with this degree of structure and formality.
   

• Visiting at a supervised access centre (or exchanging the child here) can send a negative message to a child - that a parent cannot be trusted.  It takes care and effort to present the involvement of the Program in a more positive light.
   

• Supervised parenting time at the Program is only a temporary measure, not a long term option.