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You are here: Families & Children > Custody & Visitation > Supervised Visitation Information
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What is Supervised Visitation?
Why can supervised visitation help in cases where there is or has been domestic violence?
Who is a Supervised Visitation Provider?
Are there qualifications for a supervised visitation provider?
Are there training requirements for a supervised visitation provider?
What is the job of the supervised visitation provider?
How do I choose a non-professional provider?
How can I ind a supervised visitation location?
How do I choose a professional provider?
Tips for the visiting parent
Tips for the custodial parent
To both parents
Where can I get more information about supervised visitation?
What is Supervised Visitation?
The public policy of the State of California is to protect the best interests of children whose parents have a custody or visitation matter within the family courts. Sometimes, based on issues of protection and safety, a judge will decide that in order for a child to have contact with a parent, a neutral third person must be present during any visitation. This type of third-person visitation arrangement is often called “supervised visitation”. Click here for information and help if you have experienced domestic violence.
A judge may order supervised visitation for many reasons, like:
- to give the visiting parent a chance to address specific issues,
- to help reintroduce a parent and after a long absence,
- to help introduce a parent and a child when there has been no existing relationship between the parent and the child,
- when there is a history or allegations of domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, or substance abuse;
- when there are parenting concerns or mental illness; or
- when there is a parental threat of abduction.
The court order will specify the time and duration of the visits. Sometimes, the court order will also specify who the provider is to be and where the visits are to take place.
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Who is a Supervised Visitation Provider?
There are three types of supervised visitation providers: the nonprofessional provider, the professional provider, and the therapeutic provider. All providers must agree to follow the Uniform Standards of Practice for Providers of Supervised Visitation.
The professional and therapeutic providers usually charge a fee for services and are experienced in and trained to provide supervised visitation services. The non-professional provider is usually a family member or friend who does not provide supervised visitation services. Your court order will usually say which type of provider you have to use to supervise these visits.
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Are There Qualifications for a Supervised Visitation Provider?
Yes. All providers of supervised visitation must meet minimum qualifications prior to providing services. The qualifications for the three types of supervised visitation providers in California are:
- Click here for the guidelines and standards for professional and therapeutic supervised visitation providers.
- Click here for the guidelines for non-professional providers.
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Are there Training Requirements for a Supervised Visitation Provider?
Yes. Professional and therapeutic providers should 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. Click here  to see the standards for supervised visitation practice.
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What is the Job of the Supervised Visitation Provider?
The provider is there to make every effort to keep your child safe and support your child in enjoying the visit with the supervised parent. Whether a paid professional, family member or friend, the provider's job is to make sure that the children involved in the visits are safe and free from any unnecessary stress. The provider must be present at all times during the visit, listen to what is being said, and pay close attention to the child's behavior. If necessary, the provider may interrupt or end a visit. All providers are to report suspected child abuse to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1 (800) 540-4000.
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How Do I Choose a Non-Professional 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. This person must speak the same language as the visiting parent and child. The parents should ask someone they feel will be impartial, comfortable in following the court order. and will comply with A Guide for the Non-Professional Provider of Supervised Visitation. You can also get a copy of this guide at your court’s clerk’s office.
This guide is available in several languages. Look through this guide. It will help you choose the right person and determine if they are qualified. All providers are responsible for making every reasonable effort to assure the safety and welfare of the child and adults during the visitation, avoid any conflict of interest, maintain neutrality, and follow the terms and conditions in Standard 5.20. Prior to a family member or friend agreeing to act as a supervised visitation provider, you should give the nonprofessional guide to the person you wish to supervise the visits so they can make an informed decision.
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How can I find a supervised visitation location?
Contact or check with your local Family Court Service office in your local court. Generally, each county Family Court Services office has a list of providers in your area. Click here to find your local Family Court Services office.
In 2008, the Administrative Office of the Courts published a statewide directory listing providers of supervised visitation and exchange services. Click here to see this directory. There is a supervised visitation directory that contains a listing of supervised visitation providers that may be helpful. In addition, the Supervised Visitation Network maintains a directory of service providers listed by state and city.
IMPORTANT
Before you enter into an agreement with a 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 may want to 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 so it is important to remember that prior to the commencement of service; providers of supervised visitation must be cleared by the State Child Abuse Registry and completed fingerprinting clearance.
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.
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How Do I Choose a 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 didn’t 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;
- the provider’s compliance with training and education requirements;
- the level of staff experience and expertise;
- child abuse and criminal background (fingerprinting) clearance for staff; and
- the provider’s reputation and good standing with their 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, and
- reasons for interrupting or ending a visit, and
- termination 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 use of a nonprofessional provider in these cases is not recommended.
To review the qualifications and guidelines that the provider must follow, click here.
You will also be asked to sign an agreement that you will follow and adhere to the programs terms and conditions for service. If you would like to review the qualifications and guidelines that the provider must follow, the provider will give you a copy of the Uniform Standards of Practice for Providers of Supervised Visitation.
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Tips For the Visiting Parent
Being with your child 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 child. Your patience and commitment will pay off. 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 child
- Avoid quizzing your child about the other parent's activities and relationships
- Avoid making your child a messenger to the other party
- Say brief and positive good-byes to your child when the visit is over
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Tips for the Custodial Parent
Supervised visitation can also be a challenge for you. Typically you have been taking care of your child's everyday needs and have a routine for yourself and your family. Supervised visitation can sometimes feel like one more responsibility. Of course you also have concerns and questions about the visits and how they will affect your child. 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 child where and when the visits will take place
Have your child ready on time and be prompt
Reassure your child that you support him or her in having a pleasant visit
Avoid quizzing your child about the visit
Avoid making your child a messenger to the other party
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To Both Parents
If you need to change the visitation schedule, the provider cannot do that for you. To assist you in filing the proper paperwork, contact your attorney or the Family Law Facilitator.
If you cannot agree on how to modify the court's order and you are both willing to meet with a Court Mediator to assist you in reaching an agreement that 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, and it seems impossible to have a positive attitude about supervised visitation. Remember that both of you care about your children, and that, if possible, children benefit from having two parents in their lives.
The preparation of these materials was financially assisted through a grant from the Federal Government and the State of California. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Federal Government or the Judicial Council or the Administrative Office of the Courts. Permission is granted to nonprofit institutions to reproduce and distribute for educational purposes if the copies credits the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Center for Families, the Children & the Courts.
For additional copies or more information about this booklet, please call the Center for Families, Children & the Courts at 415-865-7739, or write to:
Judicial Council of California
Administrative Office of the Courts
Center for Families, Children & the Courts
Attn: Access to Visitation Grant Program
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, California 94102-3688
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Where can I get more information about supervised visitation?
You can visit the Supervised Visitation Network for more information about supervised visitation and related services. Additional supervised visitation information may be found on the following related links:
American Bar Association (under "search" type "supervised visitation")
Divorce Net: The Net's Largest Resource on Divorce
Family Violence Prevention Fund
U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women Safe Havens Demonstration Initiative
Institute On Domestic Violence in African American Community (University of Minnesota)
Florida Clearinghouse on Supervised Visitation
Australia and New Zealand Standards for Supervised Contact Services
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Praxis International (a non-profit research and training organization working to eliminate violence in the lives of women and children).
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Last modified: 04/15/2008
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