Supervised Visitation

The supervised visitation provider is there to make every effort to keep your children safe. The provider may be a family member, a friend, or a paid professional. The provider’s job is to make sure that the children and everyone involved in the visits are kept reasonably safe and protected. The provider must be present at all times during the visit, listen to what is being said, and pay close attention to the children’s behavior. If necessary, the provider may interrupt or end a visit. All providers are required to report suspected child abuse.

Types of providers
There are 3 types of supervised visitation providers:

• Nonprofessional providers,
• Professional providers, and
• Therapeutic providers.

All providers should follow the uniform standards of practice for providers of supervised visitation outlined in standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration.

A nonprofessional provider is usually a family member or friend who is qualified to serve in this role. Professional and therapeutic providers usually charge a fee for their services and are experienced in and trained to provide supervised visitation services. Your court order will usually say which type of provider you have to use to supervise these visits.

Qualifications for a supervised visitation provider
All providers of supervised visitation must meet minimum qualifications before providing services. The qualifications for the 3 types of supervised visitation providers in California are:

• Guidelines for nonprofessional providers.
• Guidelines and standards for professional and therapeutic supervised visitation providers.

Training requirements for a supervised visitation provider
All providers of supervised visitation should receive training on supervised visitation. Professional and therapeutic providers are required to receive training on the topics outlined in standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration.  Also, supervised visitation providers are strongly encouraged to follow the training and education requirements of the Supervised Visitation Network and other professional codes of conduct. See the standards for supervised visitation practice.

IMPORTANT:  Before you enter into an agreement with a supervised visitation provider, get his or her name and California driver’s license number and call TrustLine at 1-800-822-8490. If the provider is cleared by TrustLine, it means that no disqualifying child abuse reports or disqualifying criminal convictions exist in California. You should call from time to time to see that the provider is still in good standing.

Not all professional or therapeutic providers go through TrustLine for child abuse and criminal background clearance. However, all providers of supervised visitation must have fingerprinting clearance and have no record of a conviction for child molestation, child abuse, or other crimes against a person. In addition, professional and therapeutic providers must obtain and maintain insurance coverage that is appropriate to their business operations and the nature of the work and services provided.

Nonprofessional provider
Parents will usually ask a family member or friend that cares and is concerned for the children and family to act as a nonprofessional provider. If you are going to ask a family member or friend to supervise the visits, remember that this person must:

• Speak the same language as the visiting parent and child;
• Be impartial;
• Be comfortable in following the court order;
• Comply with the requirements, terms and conditions in standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration;
• Make every reasonable effort to assure the safety and welfare of the children and adults during the visitation;
• Avoid any conflict of interest; and
• Maintain neutrality.

Parents should read the Guide for the Non-Professional Provider of Supervised Visitation. It will help you understand what the nonprofessional provider can and cannot do during your visit. The guide is available in several languages at your local court’s office of the clerk of the court.

Also, before a family member or friend agrees to act as a supervised visitation provider, give the nonprofessional guide to the person you wish to supervise the visits so he or she can make an informed decision.

If there are concerns about domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, or sexual abuse, you should probably NOT use a nonprofessional provider. You will most likely need someone who has been trained in these issues and clearly understands the specialized knowledge and skills required for these types of cases.

Professional provider
Your court order, lawyer, or Family Court Services office will probably give you information about supervised visitation services and a list of supervised visitation providers in your area.

If you did not get a list or you want help to choose a provider, here are some things to think about before choosing a provider. Look at:

• The provider’s compliance with standard 5.20 of the California Standards of Judicial Administration, including training and education requirements;
• The level of staff experience and expertise;
• Child abuse and criminal background (fingerprinting) clearance for staff;
• TrustLine at 1-800-822-8490 (you will need his or her name and California driver’s license number); and
• The provider’s reputation and good standing with the relevant professional association, the court, and the community.

Also, you will have an in-person meeting with the provider. Make a list of questions you have for the provider and make sure you understand what services will be provided and what is expected of you.

When you interview the provider in person, discuss the provider’s policies and procedures, like:

• Fees and method of payment,
• Safety and security measures,
• Program conditions and guidelines,
• Hours of operation,
• Reasons for interrupting or ending a visit,
• Confidentiality, andTermination process.

If there are concerns about domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, or sexual abuse, choose a provider who has been trained in these issues and clearly understands the specialized knowledge and skills required for these types of cases.

The provider will also be asked to sign an agreement that he or she will follow and adhere to the program’s terms and conditions for service. To review the qualifications and guidelines that the provider must follow, read the uniform standards of practice for providers of supervised visitation.

Contact or check with your local Family Court Services office in your local court. Generally, each court’s Family Court Services office has a list of providers in your area. You can also ask your local court clerk’s office.

In addition, the Supervised Visitation Network (SVN)  maintains a directory of service providers. These supervised visitation providers are paid members of the SVN organization and are listed by state. Keep in mind that the SVN does not regulate or regularly monitor the providers listed in its directory. So make sure you always interview the provider you choose and make sure he or she is qualified and trained and meets child abuse and fingerprinting clearance requirements.

Tips for the visiting parent
Being with your children in the presence of someone else may be uncomfortable for you, at least in the beginning. You probably have many questions and concerns, and that is perfectly understandable. During tough times you may want to talk to a mental health professional or find a support group to help you with your feelings. Do your best to focus on your relationship with your children. Your patience and commitment are important during this time.

Here are some suggestions that might be helpful to you:

• Read the court order.
• Arrive and depart on time.
• Avoid discussing the court case or terms of the visit with your children.
• Avoid quizzing your children about the other parent’s activities and relationships.
• Avoid making your children messengers to the other parent.
• Say brief and positive good-byes to your children when the visit is over.

Tips for the custodial parent
Supervised visitation can also be a challenge for you. Typically you have been taking care of your children’s everyday needs and have a routine for yourself and your family. Supervised visitation can sometimes feel like 1 more responsibility. Of course, you also have concerns and questions about the visits and how they will affect your children. This is understandable. In difficult times you may also want to talk to a mental health professional or find a support group where you can talk about your feelings.

Here are a few suggestions that might help you in the process:

• Read the court order.
• Explain to your children where and when the visits will take place.
• Have your children ready with anything they will need during the visits.
• Arrive on time to drop off and pick up your children.
• Reassure your children that you support them in having a pleasant visit.
• Avoid quizzing your children about the visit.
• Avoid making your children messengers to the other parent.

Tips for both parents
If you need to change the visitation schedule, the provider cannot do that for you. You will need to ask the court to change the visitation order. To assist you in filing the proper paperwork with the court, contact your lawyer or the family law facilitator in your court.

You may also ask Family Court Services to assist if both parents are willing to meet with a mediator. A court mediator can assist you in reaching an agreement that changes the visitation schedule. Your agreement can then be filed in court and become an order. Call your Family Court Services office to schedule an appointment.

Supervised visitation can be difficult and uncomfortable at times. Often there are hurt and angry feelings toward the other parent. It may also seem impossible to have a positive attitude about supervised visitation. Remember that both of you care about your children and that children benefit from having 2 parents in their lives whenever possible.

You can visit the Supervised Visitation Network website for more information about supervised visitation and related services. Additional supervised visitation information may be found at the following related links:

American Bar Association  (under “search” type “supervised visitation”)

Divorce Net: Family Law Information, Solutions, News and Community

Futures Without Violence - Child Well being

Institute on Domestic Violence in African American Community (University of Minnesota)

Florida Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation

Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General

Praxis International (a nonprofit research and training organization working to eliminate violence in the lives of women and children)