When a relationship breaks down and children are involved it’s near impossible in our region to find a safe place for a changeover when parents have split custody, but at last a positive step with a $2m grant to CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes to set-up a Children’s Contact Service [CCS] in Broken Hill for the very first time.
The centre will enable supervised and safe visits of children and changeovers to take place.
Children’s needs are the primary focus, and its purpose is to allow children to stay connected with both parents and other significant people in their lives where their families are unable to manage their own contact arrangements.
The funding has been provided through the Australian Government’s Family Relationship Services Program and amongst others who lobbied for a CCS, it’s been supported by local legal practitioners.
Currently, families are going to places like fast food restaurants, parks, police stations and neighbourhood streets for changeover arrangements where joint custody is in place, simply because there hasn’t been a more appropriate option.
With the nearest CCS a three-hour drive away from Broken Hill in Mildura, affected families will benefit greatly by having a facility available in Broken Hill.
CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CEO, Anne-Marie Mioche, says CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes already offered several other programs at Broken Hill and so was well-placed to deliver the service.
“This service has not existed previously at Broken Hill, a regional city. Most importantly it is a child-centred service, and their needs are the primary consideration,” Ms Mioche said.
“Our unique position is the wraparound support we can provide through our family mental health and financial counselling programs and our family dispute resolution practitioner at Broken Hil.”
Parkes MP, Mark Coulton, said it was a big win for the region.
“The Broken Hill community has been calling for this for some time, as currently families have to travel three hours each way to Mildura for a supervised visit.” Mr Coulton said.
“This is just unrealistic, especially for families that are experiencing conflict. Navigating relationship breakdown can be stressful enough for families, without the added stress of having to travel large distances for a visit with your child.”
The Broken Hill CCS will be based at CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes’ Broken Hill branch in Argent Street.
