Smart Families Wiki

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Welcome to the Smart Families Wiki

This wiki has been created to provide parents and families with clear, accessible information about using our Civil Family Time service.

Here, you’ll find guidance on what to expect from the service, what we expect from parents, how Family Time sessions work, and the important procedures everyone should follow.

Our aim is to make sure you feel informed and prepared, while helping us provide a safe, positive and child-focused environment for every family using our service.

Please take some time to read through the information before attending your Family Time sessions. Understanding the expectations in advance helps sessions run smoothly and ensures that the needs, safety and wellbeing of the children remain at the heart of Family Time.

Use the links below to navigate through each individual section of the Tool Kit. Alternatively, to search the entire Tool Kit for a specific word or phrase use the search bar above.

Preparing for Family Time

During Family Time

After Family Time

Understanding Supervised Family Time

Your Child's Feelings & Emotions

Who to Contact if You Have Concerns

Our Approach - Civil Family Time is centred around the needs, safety and wellbeing of children. We recognise how important family relationships can be and want Family Time to provide children and their families with opportunities to maintain meaningful and positive connections.
Our team will work with you, your child and the professionals involved to help make each session as safe, comfortable and positive as possible.

Useful Links & Support

Cafcass – Information for Parents & Carers – Guidance for families involved in family court proceedings, including what Cafcass does, court processes and support available.

Coram Family Lives – Maintaining Contact with Your Child in Care – Particularly relevant to Civil Family Time. It explains contact arrangements, parents' rights, care plans and how families can maintain positive relationships with children in care.

Family Rights Group – Independent advice for parents and relatives when children's services are involved with their family. Cafcass specifically identifies Family Rights Group as a source of advice and support for families whose children are involved with social services.

Child Law Advice – Coram Children's Legal Centre – Free information about child and family law in England, including local authority involvement, child protection, contact and attending family court.

Coram Family Lives – Parent & Family Support – Parenting and family support covering separation, relationships, children's behaviour and wellbeing. They also provide a parent helpline and online support.

National Association of Child Contact Centres (NACCC) - Information about supported and supervised child contact and accredited contact services. Cafcass requires external organisations it uses for supported or supervised child contact to be NACCC accredited.

Support Through Court – Practical and emotional support for people going through court proceedings without legal representation. Cafcass lists the organisation among sources of assistance for families seeking legal/court support.

Citizens Advice – General independent advice, including family problems, benefits, housing, debt and legal issues. Cafcass also signposts parents to Citizens Advice for information about dealing with court proceedings without legal advice.

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