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Supervised Access

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What is supervised access?

When parents separate, access visits with children may be a problem. Sometimes, difficulties arise at the time of the exchange of the child between the parents, or between the parent and a relative, such as a grandparent. Other times, there may be concerns about the visits themselves.

The Supervised Access Program offers separated families a way to deal with some of these problems. Supervised access centres provide a safe and secure setting where visits and exchanges can take place under the supervision of trained staff and volunteers.

The program is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General and is delivered through partnerships with community-based organizations such as: children's mental health centres, neighbourhood support centres, YMCAs and local children's aid societies.

What do supervised access centres do?

  • Provide a safe, neutral and child-focused setting for visits between a child and non-custodial family member.
  • Ensure the safety of all participants, including staff.
  • Provide trained staff and volunteers who are sensitive to the needs of the child.
  • Provide the court and/or lawyers with factual observations about the participants' use of the service.

Who can use supervised access centres?

Families can use supervised access centres if:

  • they have a court order for supervised visits and exchanges; or
  • both parties agree, in writing, to the use of a supervised access centre. Please contact the coordinator of the centre nearest you or the Ministry Program Coordinator.

Do the centres charge fees for their services?

Yes. Most centres charge a fee based on guidelines set by the ministry.

The guidelines for user fees are as follows:

  • a one-time, yearly administration fee of up to $300.00; or a per visit/exchange fee of no more than $25.00 per family per visit or exchange;
  • up to $250.00 for reports;
  • fees must be waived or negotiated at a lower rate for those who are unable to pay the full amount.

Please contact individual centres for specific information about fees.

When might supervised visits occur?

Supervised visits may be appropriate in cases where, for example:

  • there are concerns about the safety of the child and/or the parent;
  • the non-custodial parent has a drug or alcohol problem or a psychiatric disability;
  • there has been a lengthy separation between the parent and child; or
  • there is a risk of abduction.

How do I get access to centre services?

You and your lawyer, if you are represented, must contact the supervised access centre directly. The centre will require a copy of your court order, endorsement or agreement for supervised access. Both parents will be asked to participate in separate interviews at the centre before service is offered. Each parent will be asked to sign an agreement with the centre, including release of information forms. Payment of fees will also be discussed at this time. The children may be invited to meet the centre staff and tour the centre before or on the day of the first visit to help prepare them for the visit or exchange. For further details, please contact the supervised access centre in your area.

How do supervised access centres ensure the safety of families, staff and volunteers ?

Safety measures include:

  • staggered drop off and pick up hours;
  • an attendant on duty at the front door;
  • staff or volunteers who accompany children at all times during visits;
  • additional staff available as back up to the volunteers;
  • a close relationship with the local police;
  • security checks for volunteers and staff;
  • enclosed outdoor play areas.

Do supervised access centres make custody and access recommendations?

No. Supervised access centres provide a place for visits and exchanges. Factual observations provided by the supervised access centre may, however, provide information to guide an assessor in making recommendations to the court or may assist the court in making orders that are in the best interest of the child.

Do supervised access centres provide services other than supervised visits and exchanges?

No. The staff and volunteers at the supervised access centres do not provide services such as counseling, mediation, therapy, or parent education.

Do supervised access centres provide off-site or one-on-one visits?

No. Visits and exchanges are limited to on-site, group settings.

Is there a limit on the period of time a family can use a supervised access centre?

No. In some cases, families require supervised access over a long, or unspecified, period of time (e.g., cases where mental health concerns or violence are issues).

Do staff and volunteers have special skills or training?

Yes. They are trained to be aware of issues such as family violence, child development, abuse, mental health and substance abuse problems. Staff and volunteers must be sensitive to the needs of children, particularly those who are involved in high conflict custody and access disputes.

Do supervised access centres provide service to children who are in the care of a Children's Aid Society?

No. Supervised access centres supervise visits and exchanges in custody and access matters.

Child welfare (protection) cases are governed by the Child and Family Services Act and are typically supervised by the Children's Aid Society (CAS).

Are supervised access services provided only by the government funded centres?

No. Other supervised access arrangements exist in Ontario including private "for profit" centres and private individuals charging a fee for service. These arrangements are not accountable to the provincial program. Ministry funded supervised access centres sign an agreement with the ministry requiring them to meet specific criteria.

Where are the centres located?

The Ministry of the Attorney General provides funding to the following 52 supervised access centres and satellites across the province as part of the Supervised Access Program.

Please contact the individual centre for hours of operation and information about intake and fees.

Supervised access statistics:


# Families Served # Children # Visits # Exchanges
01-02 02-03 03-04 01-02 02-03 03-04 01-02 02-03 03-04 01-02 02-03 03-04
21,139 21,576 20,523 30,931 26,769 21,550 20,012 22,681 23,949 16,914 19,826 22,602

*03/04 electronic data collection implemented which calculates Families Served only when there is a date for intake entered into the system.

Brief history of the Supervised Access Program:

  • 1991: the Ministry of the Attorney General consults with the Ontario Women's Directorate and the Ministry of Community and Social Services and initiates the Supervised Access Pilot Project consisting of 14 centres across the province.
  • 1994: The Institute for Child Studies at the University of Toronto conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the program. The Supervised Access Pilot Program receives on-going funding from the Ministry of the Attorney General and becomes the Supervised Access Program.
  • 1999: the Ministry of the Attorney General expands the program to 22 additional court districts across the province.
  • 2000: the government commits funding for province-wide expansion to provide supervised access services in each court district across Ontario.