Affordability and accessibility are important to all. We welcome confidential payment discussions for those families who are not entitled to Legal Aid Funding.
Please note that no family will be excluded for financial reasons.
As a small organisation, our capacity to provide prompt and comprehensive support is only possible by charging for the important service we offer.
We aim to charge a fair and reasonable hourly professional rate which is inclusive of direct staff costs and overheads.
To explore whether you may be entitled to Legal Aid, you can check your eligibility here where there are resources to find a solicitor who take legal aid client’s alternatively you can also check Family Law Association
You can also visit CLAO (Civil Legal assistance office as well as Citizens Advice for additional assistance.
Family Connection (child contact) Service Fees
Supervised Package of Care
Preparation for Family Connections
- Family Connections first meeting
- Parent and child visit to therapeutic play centres
- Child’s Plan
- Parent’s Plan
Fees:
£150 per parent
Family Connections Sessions
- 6 sessions of full staffed supervised family connections support in one of our therapeutic playrooms
- Family support & parent coaching
- Progress reviews for both parents
- Progress review for child
- Progression plan
Fees:
6x 1-hour sessions: £300 per parent
6x 2-hour sessions: £600 per parent
Supported Package of Care
Preparation for Family Connections
- Family Connections first meeting
- Parent and child visit to therapeutic play centres
- Child’s Plan
- Parent’s Plan
Fees:
£150 per parent
Family Connections Sessions
- 6 sessions of Family Connections support in one of our therapeutic playrooms or community settings with staff on hand to offer support as required
- Family support & parent coaching
- Progress reviews for both parents
- Progress review for child
- Progression plan
Fees:
6x 1-hour sessions: £150 per parent
6x 2-hour sessions: £300 per parent
Pick-up and Drop-off Package of Care
Preparation for Family Connections
- Family Connections first meeting
- Parent and child visit to therapeutic play centres
- Child’s Plan
- Parent’s Plan
Fees:
£150 per parent
Family Connections Pick-up and Drop-off Sessions
- 12 pick-up and drop-off sessions of support family connections handovers in one of our therapeutic playrooms or outdoor venues
- Progression and exit plan
Fees:
£150 per parent
Additional services
Interpreter fee: £30 per hour
Observation & Court Reports: £150 per parent
Mediation Fees
| As of 29 April 2023, the SLAB hourly rate for mediation increased to £105.20 per hour (£52.60 per person) and will continue to increase in line with the solicitor legal aid fee rate in the future. Family Journeys have reviewed our fees to reflect this. |
|---|
Pre-mediation session (required by all accessing mediation):
£52.60 per person, per hour
Mediation session:
£52.60 per person, per hour
Mediation summary report (for solicitors to formalise as minute of agreement):
£105.20 per parent (flat fee)
Please note: most pre-mediation and mediation sessions with note capturing allowance can be expected to take 2.5 hours per session.
Parent and Children’s Services Fees
Due to the financial supports of our funders and friends of Family Journeys, we are at times able to offer free or reduced fees for some of our services. Please contact us for further information.
Therapeutic Children’s Groups (minimum of 5 sessions):
£30 per child, per session
Please contact our service to find out more about current groups
All About Me (minimum of 4 sessions):
£40 per child, per session
Individual Parent Support and Coaching:
£30 per parent, per session
Parenting Apart 3-hour Online workshop:
£45 per parent, per session
Please note: For the “Parent who doesn’t live with me” we have a dedicated wellbeing and support service to offer emotional support during the wait for Family Connections which has no fee.
FAQs
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
- No. If you do not feel comfortable seeing another parent/carer Family Journeys will stagger Family Connections arrival and departure times to ensure everyone feels safe, and their needs are respected. Within our mediation services we can offer shuttle mediation, either in person or online. This involves parents/carers being in different rooms and the mediator moving between. If you are attending our Parenting Apart programme, you will not be put in the same group as another family member (unless expressly requested).
Am I allowed to take photographs?
- As an organisation promoting positive relationships, capturing special moments is a normal aspect of nurturing positive connections. Please note however, this may be subject to certain conditions if a court order explicitly prohibits photographs, if there are child protection concerns or identified risks or if the child does not consent to having their photograph taken, their wishes will be respected. Prioritising the safety and consent of all parties involved is paramount.
Will there always be a staff member in playroom with my child?
- During supervised Family Connection sessions, a staff member will ALWAYS be present with your child. During supported Family Connection sessions, a staff member will be available for when a child or parent/family member may need them, and they will offer regular check ins to see if all is going well in the playroom.
Can I wait at Family Journeys whilst my child sees my ex-partner?
- Yes of course. We have relaxing parent/carer rooms for you to wait whilst your child is enjoying time in the playrooms. This can help you and your child feel more at ease in the early sessions. However, you may also wish to spend some time away from the venue and this is encouraged once your child feels comfortable coming to Family Journeys. Staff will always call you if your child needs you to return.
My court order was issued last month, why can’t I start immediately?
- At Family Journeys, we understand this is a stressful period for all, especially the child. We don’t want to delay but sometimes it takes a while to find a vacant slot in our venues that suits both you and your child. We also want to give your child and family every chance of success when coming to Family Journeys, therefore it is important that we start after a period of preparation. This preparation period will travel at the pace of the child and support everyone to get the most out of their time playing together in the hope of independent co-parenting solutions.
How long will it take after the intake meeting for contact to start?
- This is difficult to answer because it depends on your child’s readiness to meet. Sometimes we support the child with an extended preparation or involve the child in our All About Me service if they are struggling. Normally we would hope your first play session would be no longer than a month after your initial meeting with staff, but sometimes it can take longer.
I worry I can’t afford this. What can I do?
- If you are in receipt of benefits or earn below a certain threshold, you may be entitled to Scottish Legal Aid. You will need a solicitor to access these funds. If you are not entitled to Scottish Legal Aid and feel you will struggle to meet the costs, please get in touch with us directly to discuss how we can work out a payment plan that is affordable.
If I go on holiday, will I get into trouble?
- No. We will communicate this information to your ex-partner and solicitors, if applicable, and arrange a catch-up session where possible. The key here is being honest and planning ahead.
I can’t find a legal aid solicitor, what do I do?
- Although Family Journeys cannot specifically suggest a particular solicitor, we can provide you with a list of Scottish Legal Aid solicitors who you can contact.
My solicitor told me that they are no longer doing Legal Aid work. What do I do?
- Let Family Journeys know ASAP. It is possible the child’s other parent may be able to cover costs short term through their own legal aid. Family Journeys can help communicate this with your permission. It may be important for you to find another solicitor to represent you. During this period, we will not stop your child’s Family Connections time.
I am worried my ex-partner will find out where I live if they ask the children. Can you control what is said during a session?
- During supervised Family Connections sessions, our staff will be present to ensure you, and your children, are safe. Any leading questions thought to expose a restricted address will be stopped.
How can I access my child’s or my notes?
- You can acquire all notes retained on our information management system regarding yourself and/or the child you have legal rights and responsibilities for through a subject access request.
What happens if a parent or guardian arrives under the influence of substances?
- Family Journeys are unable to do any drug testing, but we do visual checks and monitor the persons behaviour. If staff detect that a person is under the influence or cannot look after the child, family time will be stopped. Family Journeys are an inclusive organisation, if a family is impacted by substance use Family Journeys can support to find appropriate solutions with the individual and family.
