Got a meeting at the contact centre this week, What should I expect??

[returningstress]

They said they will be discussing the issues with me, so I should not bring dd. I thought the reason I had to go there was to let dd get used to the place before seeing her dad there.

What kind of things are they likly to ask me?

Also I'm going to court regarding contact between dd and her dad soon, I'm really not sure what to expect.

He has never been consistant with contact so I dont really think they are oing to all of a sudden hand out lots of access to him, are they?

He is not on her birth cert so does not have parental responsibilty for her.

Hopefully they'll want to know how they can make what is a porentially difficult situation all round a bit easier for everyone, but particularly the child. Things like whether Dad is a total stranger to the child, and whether there is likely to be conflict at the handover point. There is a fair amount of variety from place to place so I don't suppose anyone will be able to give you a definite list of questions, but for example, nice weather is (hopefully) on the way, can Dad take DD out for a walk. IME they don't take anything for granted, so will check what you are comfy with (can Dad take photos, can Dad feed child etc)

If you don't mind me saying, your post sounds a bit dismissive(?) like the contact centre isn't anything to do with you, it's for DD and her Dad - but for contact to work it's much better for the child if everyone gets behind it.

As for court, that depends on the whole situation, age of the child, why a contact centre is being used etc. You'll probably get better advice if you post more details.

if you using contact centre wil be short time and regular - gives both dad and child a chance to establish relationship gradually. in a safe and supervised place.

the session with you is to ask what the isues are, what are your child's likes/dislikes, whether you wish to not see her dad at all eg you can go intoa nother rooma dn wait and staff witll take your daughter to him and bring her back.

depends on the issues involved.

give as much information as you cana dn say what your concerns are.

they there to ehlp dad build relaitonhsip with his dautghter - and for you to end up feelign comfortable with this too so it can lead onto more and unsupervised.

you can state things like what presents/food are ok with you; if you dont mind him taking pics of ehr etc etc.

and say how she is with people generally so they can eb aware of what to look out for - eg how does she express distress/pleasure