Child-specific visits are available throughout the SPS estate and are provided in addition to a person in custody statutory visiting rights.
They provide an opportunity for parents to interact with their child/children and spend time together in a relaxed environment. These are applied for by the person in custody.
The factors detailed below are intended as a guide and each application should be considered on its own merits:
- The child or children must be under the age of 17.
- The person in custody requesting the visits must be the parent, stepparent, kinship carer of the child or have, or have had, the responsibility for the care and custody of the child. Applications may be considered where such a relationship has not been established however there should be compelling grounds for accessing these visits. Any exceptions to the normal criteria should be considered by a Head of Operations on an individual basis.
- Confirmation must be made there are no child protection/welfare concerns or issues; and
- Any parent who is allowed to have access to their child/children will normally be able to apply for children’s visits
Conditions of Children's Visits:
- The child must be accompanied to the visit by one approved responsible adult and this person will be aged 18 or over.
- A person aged 16 or over may accompany a child with the prior approval of the head of operations at establishment.
- The accompanying adult will be responsible for the care of the child during the visits.