Supervised visitations are one of the various services offered by The Connect Group, but many people still don’t know what these visits actually entail. Often something only ordered in particular circumstances, there is a good chance you may not have even heard of this service before. That is why we compiled a list of most frequently asked questions regarding supervised visits with detailed answers, to provide accurate and comprehensive information ensuring you know when and how to access this service.
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What are Supervised Visitations?
Supervised visitations are either court-ordered or mutually consensual visitations between a caregiver and a minor, where a suitably qualified third party is present for the full duration of the contact time between caregiver and child.
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What merits/constitutes a visitation being supervised?
Supervised visitations are only authorized when there is historical evidence to suggest that the caregiver in question is incapable, unsafe or otherwise deemed unfit to contact the child concerned without a third party observing, and sometimes, directing the contact for the safest and most amicable outcome.
Common issues constituting supervised visitations include substance use and abuse, physical, emotional and/or verbal abuse, neglect, parental estrangement, or the child indicating fear or other hesitation in contact with the parent concerned.
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How do I apply for visitations to be supervised?
Supervised visits are most commonly authorized by the magistrate or High Court – it is rare that parental parties will consent of their own accord to their contact time with their children to be supervised due to the violation of parenting rights and associated expenses. Applications are therefore made via the Family Court at your local magistrates court or via your advocate at the High Court. Accompanying your application should be evidence supporting the need for supervised visitations, which can include photographs, WhatsApp conversations, affidavits, third-party references, firsthand accounts etc..
It is standard protocol for the child concerned to voice their experience and opinion too, either by means of a side-bar conversation with the appointed magistrate/judge or through an appropriately qualified therapist conducting a therapeutic assessment and providing a report.
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Under what conditions do supervised visitations cease?
Supervised visitations are authorized as an interim measure, pending the outcome of a court case investigating a parents rightness of fit to parent independently. The supervision applies up until such a time as the child expresses comfort and security in the parents’ care and this view is supported by the supervisors report objectively providing insight into the nature of the contact between the parent and child.
Should the child express continued distress with the concerned parent and/or the supervisor indicates safety or parenting capability concerns in their report, supervised visits will either continue or access to the child will be revoked entirely.
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How frequently should supervised visits be approved?
For an authentic representation of the relationship capacity between the parent and child concerned, supervised visitations should be scheduled in line with the child’s daily routines. Visits should be regular and frequent enough to ensure a sense of continuity, affording the child the opportunity to build on prior visits. At minimum, one weekday and one weekend visit of 2 hours each for children under 3 years old, and 4-6 hours each for children older, is recommended. Weekday and weekend contact is recommended to enhance the parents’ capacity to recreationally and routinely engage with the child. Weekly activities like school pick-up, homework, dinner preparations, chores and bed time should be facilitated by the supervised parent in addition to fun outings and activities over the weekend, as this gives a more authentic representation of the parental roles and responsibilities.
We recommend these 2 visits a week are approved over a 6-8 week period prior to a review of the parent and child attachment and parents’ rightness of fit to parent.
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Who is suitably qualified to effectively facilitate visits?
Parental parties may nominate supervisors whom they think would be suitable, however, the most commonly approved supervisors include social workers, psychologists or mediators. It is recommended the supervisor has both therapeutic and statutory experience, equipping them with knowledge of key factors of child attachment, transactional analysis (the ability to analyze interactions and relationships between people), effective parenting techniques, parental rights and responsibilities, the best interests of the child, and the Children’s Act.
It is essential that supervisors are objective third-parties with no historical connection to the child or either parental party, ensuring their reports are based purely on interactions observed.
In some cases, extended family trusted by both parents and the child concerned, may supervise contact too. This is a less expensive option, but is only awarded if no report is required. Reports are not considered reliable from extended family noting that family is subjectively and historically involved and therefore may be bias.
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How involved is the supervisor in the visit?
Supervisors are primarily there in an observational capacity. This means they do not interfere or get involved in the visitation, but instead observe and report on the parent and child’s capacity to navigate both easy and challenging parts of the parent-child alliance. Supervisors should be active observers, meaning they are not distracted with their own affairs or entertainment. It also means that they are often taking notes throughout the visit providing records for the visitation when reports are due.
If harmful behaviours or circumstances are observed between the parent and child, the supervisor may intervene and stop the visit. Note that substantial motivation for stopping contact is required.
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Once ordered, what are the next steps in activating the supervised visits contract?
Your supervisor will receive a copy of the signed and dated court order stipulating the parameters surrounding the visits. These parameters are included in a supervised visitation contract signed by both co-parents and the supervisor in question. A copy of this signed contract is sent to the required lawyers and magistrates office too. Parental parties are asked to attend individual sessions with the supervisor first to develop rapport, ask questions and trust the supervisor and their process in full. Thereafter, the child concerned attends an individual play based (age-appropriate) session with the therapist too ensuring rapport and comfort with the supervisor too.
With all parties comfortable with the appointed supervisor, the deposit for the visits is paid, securing the supervisor’s services and as per the supervised contracts, the dates, times and locations of the visits are honoured by the supervisor.
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Who is financially responsible for supervised visitations?
Supervised visitations are usually the financial responsibility of the parent for whom the contact is being supervised. However, sometimes the court will order that it is collaboratively financed by both parental parties or a third party entirely. Supervised Visitations are subjectively priced in line with the experience, availability and demands on the supervisor in question. The Connect Group rates for supervised visits start at R450 per hour during weekday work hours (9am-5pm) and extend as high as R750 per hour on public holidays or after hours. Fuel compensation applies as do fees for any activities done during the visits (IE entry fees, meals etc.)
Our practice remains open to payment plans to ensure this is as feasible as possible considering one’s financial constraints.
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What does a supervised contract contain?
Some parts of a supervised contracts vary based on the parameters set out by the court mandate and conditions mutually agreed upon by parental parties. Others, however, remain the same as they stipulate the legal and ethical requirements of the supervisor so the client knows what to expect and require of their supervisor at the visit.
Need an idea of what this document traditionally looks like? Or would you like a contract between yourself and your current supervisor? Download our template here for free…
We hope this has answered some of your questions. Should you need this service, visit our website and get in touch. We would be delighted to assist you.