Family Journeys West Lothian Open Day
We were delighted to welcome solicitors, third sector colleagues and local authority representatives to our recent Family Journeys West Lothian Open Day in our Bathgate venue. The event was an opportunity to showcase our exclusive use safe space in the west, share our approach, and strengthen relationships with partners who alongside us, play such an important role in supporting children and families across the region.
One of the strongest themes of the day was the feedback on our trauma-informed and child friendly spaces. Visitors commented on how thoughtfully the centre has been designed — from the calm, welcoming parent areas to the carefully considered sensory rooms that prioritised emotional safety and fun.
Several attendees reflected that the environment immediately “felt warm, professional, and safe”. We were delighted by the number of guests who commented that they “loved the look and feel of the centre.” Creating a space that feels welcoming and child-focused has been central to our vision at Family Journeys, and it was affirming to see that reflected back by our professional partners.
There was some very positive and welcome feedback, alongside the recognition in the elevation in Family Journeys professional standards and the quality and detail of Family Journeys court reports. Solicitors in particular highlighted the clarity of observations, the balanced presentation of information and the practical and child-focused reflections and considerations.
Comments included that our reflections and considerations are “vital” in assisting the court to make informed decisions and that the level of detail provided supports case progression effectively. It was encouraging to hear that our work is recognised as both thorough, professional and constructive.
Another key discussion point was the importance of early preparation work. Professionals emphasised how valuable structured intake and preparatory sessions are in setting expectations clearly, identifying risks early, improving outcomes for children and reducing unnecessary conflict escalation. There was agreement that investing time at the beginning of the journey can significantly improve the quality and stability of family time arrangements.
It was also noted during discussions that Family Journeys’ fees are comparatively low within the market, particularly for “supervised contact” and court reporting. Colleagues recognised that this makes our services accessible while still maintaining high professional standards.
The Open Day reinforced the strength of multiagency and partnership working across West Lothian and beyond. We are grateful to everyone who attended, shared insights, and engaged in thoughtful conversations about how we can continue improving outcomes for children and families. Family Journeys remains committed to delivering bold, brave, innovative, holistic and trauma-informed services, and we look forward to building on the momentum created during this event and welcoming some of our Edinburgh based partners to our Gorgie venue in April 2026.