SERVICES
Private Assessment
A comprehensive Family Assessment is conducted to determine whether Positive Pathways can safely and effectively provide services.
Both parents are required to complete the assessment paperwork and provide relevant information regarding:
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The child or children;
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Family composition and contact arrangements;
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Medical conditions, disabilities, additional needs, diagnoses, allergies, and behavioural concerns;
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Child protection history and identified risks;
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Existing Family Court Orders, Parenting Plans, Police matters, Apprehended Violence Orders (AVOs), and any other relevant legal documentation;
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Cultural, religious, or individual support needs;
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Any concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of the child or participants.
As part of the Family Assessment process, Positive Pathways will conduct separate telephone consultations with both parents. These consultations allow each party to provide relevant background information, discuss any concerns, and ensure that Positive Pathways has sufficient information to assess risks and determine the suitability of the service. Participation in these consultations is a requirement prior to the commencement of supervised contact services.
The assessment assists Positive Pathways in identifying risks, determining staffing requirements, and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all participants.
Upon approval and acceptance of the Family Assessment, Positive Pathways will issue an invoice for the agreed block of supervised contact visits. Payment must be received prior to the commencement of services unless alternative arrangements have been approved in writing by Positive Pathways.
Positive Pathways reserves the right to decline services that are assessed as unsuitable, present an unacceptable level of risk, or fall outside the scope of service delivery. Where services are not accepted, the Family Assessment fee remains non-refundable as the assessment process has been completed.
In such circumstances, written notification of the decision will be provided to both parties or their referrer, as applicable. Positive Pathways is not obligated to disclose the reasons for its decision to decline services.
A compulsory one-off Family Assessment and fee applies to each parent/party. Payment must be made in full prior to the assessment appointment. This fee is non-refundable and covers the assessment, review of referral documentation, and intake process required before services can commence.
Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Assessment
For children in Out-of-Home Care (OOHC), the Family Assessment will be conducted with the child's allocated caseworker or other authorised representative. The assessment will review the child's circumstances, relevant court orders, care arrangements, identified risks, and any other information necessary to ensure that contact services are planned and delivered safely and, in the child's, best interests.
Location Risk Assessment
As a mobile service, Positive Pathways conducts supervised contact visits at a range of community-based locations. To ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, families, staff, contractors, and the community, all proposed contact locations must undergo a risk assessment in accordance with Positive Pathways' Risk Management Framework.
A Location Risk Assessment Fee applies to each new proposed contact location and will be added to the client's invoice.
To ensure the safety, wellbeing and professional integrity of our Contact Supervisors, Positive Pathways does not conduct supervised contact visits within private residences. All supervised contact sessions are held in approved community-based locations or other mutually agreed venues that provide a safe, neutral and child-focused environment for all participants.
Complimentary Meet & Greet
Positive Pathways provides a complimentary Meet and Greet session for the child or children prior to the commencement of supervised contact visits.
This session allows the child to:
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Become familiar with their Contact Supervisor;
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Learn about the supervised contact process;
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Ask questions and express any concerns;
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Develop rapport in a safe and supportive environment.
Where possible, the Meet and Greet will occur approximately 20 minutes prior to the first supervised contact visit or at an alternative time by appointment.
The purpose of this session is to promote the child's comfort, confidence, and emotional wellbeing while helping establish a positive and trusting relationship with the Contact Supervisor. By reducing uncertainty and addressing any questions or concerns the child may have, the Meet and Greet supports a smooth transition into future supervised contact visits and contributes to more successful and meaningful contact experiences.
Supervised Contact Visits
2-hour minimum
Supervised contact visits will commence in accordance with the agreed arrangements outlined in your Service Agreement, and where applicable, any Family Court Orders, Parenting Plans, or other authorised referral documentation.
As Positive Pathways currently operates as a mobile service, visits are conducted in safe, neutral, and child-focused community locations that are appropriate to the child's age, developmental needs, interests, and any identified safety considerations.
The role of the Contact Supervisor is to facilitate positive, meaningful, and child-centred interactions between children and their family members while maintaining a safe and supportive environment. Supervisors remain impartial at all times and ensure that visits are conducted in accordance with all relevant court orders, service agreements, and organisational policies.
Throughout each visit, the Contact Supervisor will objectively observe, monitor, and document interactions. Supervisors may intervene where necessary to protect the safety, wellbeing, or emotional welfare of any participant, to manage risks, or to ensure compliance with court orders, service requirements, and behavioural expectations. Where appropriate, supervisors may redirect interactions, pause or conclude a visit, or implement other reasonable measures to maintain a safe environment.
Where three (3) or more children are attending a supervised contact visit, Positive Pathways may require an additional Contact Supervisor to be present to maintain appropriate supervision levels and ensure the safety, wellbeing, and individual needs of all participants are adequately supported. The cost of the additional Contact Supervisor will be charged to the client in accordance with the current Fee Schedule.
Should clients wish to extend the duration of a supervised contact visit, additional contact time may be arranged subject to supervisor availability. Any approved extension will be charged at the applicable hourly rate for the relevant day and time, in accordance with the current Fee Schedule.
Supervised Changeovers
A supervised changeover is a structured process where a Contact Supervisor safely facilitates the transfer of a child between parties without the need for direct contact between parents, carers, or other family members. Changeovers are conducted in accordance with the Service Agreement, applicable Family Court Orders, Parenting Plans, or referral requirements, with the child's safety and wellbeing remaining the primary consideration at all times.
The purpose of a supervised changeover is to minimise conflict, reduce the child's exposure to parental tension, and provide a calm, neutral, and supportive environment during transitions. Contact Supervisors coordinate staggered arrival and departure times, manage the safe transfer of the child, and ensure that all parties comply with the agreed arrangements. Where applicable, Positive Pathways will implement additional measures to protect the privacy and identity of foster carers, kinship carers, residential carers, and confidential placement locations.
Our aim is to ensure every changeover is respectful, safe, and as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing children to transition between households without unnecessary conflict or disruption. Supervisors will intervene where required to maintain safety, uphold court orders and service requirements, and support a positive experience for everyone involved.
Comprehensive Written Reports and Photographs
Following each supervised contact visit, Positive Pathways will prepare a comprehensive, factual, and objective written report documenting the contact session. Reports include observations of interactions, significant events, behaviours, and any relevant information observed during the visit, and are prepared in accordance with the referral requirements, Positive Pathways' reporting procedures, and professional standards.
Where appropriate, and with the approval of all relevant parties and in accordance with any applicable court orders, photographs may be taken during the contact visit to document the child's participation and engagement. Any photographs taken will be managed, stored, and distributed in accordance with Positive Pathways' privacy and confidentiality obligations.
Reports and any approved photographs will be distributed in accordance with the Service Agreement, applicable court orders, referral requirements, and privacy legislation. Positive Pathways aims to provide completed reports within 72 business hours (three business days) following each supervised contact visit, unless otherwise agreed or exceptional circumstances apply.
For Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) referrals, all reports and any approved photographs will be provided directly to the child's authorised caseworker, unless otherwise directed by the referring agency or required by applicable court orders. Positive Pathways will not release reports or photographs to birth parents or other parties without the appropriate authority or written approval from the referring agency, where required.
Transport Services
Pending availability
Where approved as part of the Service Agreement and subject to staff availability, Positive Pathways may provide transport for children to and from supervised contact visits. All transport arrangements are subject to a prior assessment of suitability, safety considerations, and any applicable court orders or referral requirements.
Positive Pathways is committed to providing safe and lawful transport. All vehicles used for transporting children are appropriately registered, comprehensively insured, and maintained in a roadworthy condition. Transport will only be undertaken by authorised Contact Supervisors who hold a current and valid Australian driver's licence and are approved to provide transport services on behalf of Positive Pathways.
Children will be transported in accordance with all applicable Australian road safety legislation. Age- and size-appropriate child restraints, including approved child seats or booster seats where legally required, will be correctly fitted and used at all times. Seat belts must be worn by all vehicle occupants throughout the journey.
Transport services are provided solely for the purpose of facilitating approved contact arrangements and will only be undertaken where Positive Pathways is satisfied that it is safe, appropriate, and in the child's best interests.
Dedicated Contact Centre
Coming Soon
Positive Pathways is excited to be developing a purpose-designed Child Contact Centre, creating a welcoming, safe, and child-focused environment where families can spend quality time together.
Our dedicated centre will feature comfortable family spaces and a wide range of age-appropriate toys, games, books, creative resources, and activities designed to encourage positive interactions, meaningful engagement, and enjoyable shared experiences.
By providing a calm, neutral, and well-resourced setting, the centre will support children to feel secure and relaxed while promoting healthy family relationships in a safe and professionally supervised environment.
We look forward to welcoming families to this exciting new space in the near future.