Frequently Asked Questions

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The Process

The Family Court Co-Ordinator processes the Court Order and sends Kidtropolis a s60 Referral for an Initial Assessment. A Kidtropolis Team Member contacts all parties for the Initial Consultation.
If we haven’t received the Referral from the Courts, we advise you contact your Lawyer to follow up with the Family Court. Kidtropolis will also contact the Family Court Co-Ordinator to expedite the documentation.

Kidtropolis reviews s60 Referral along with the Judge’s Minute and other documentation received from the Court. Following the review a Kidtropolis Team Member makes an appointment with all parties involved.
During the Initial Consultation with the Contact Parent / Caregiver we discuss their circumstances, address any concerns before taking them for a tour of the centre to see how they can spend quality time with the child(ren). Similarly, we discuss the circumstances of the Day-to-Day Parent / Caregiver, address any concerns and take the child(ren) for a tour of our centre.
During the Initial Consultation, all parties sign a service agreement.

Yes. Both the Contact Parent / Caregiver and the Day-to-Day Parent / Caregiver along with the child(ren) have to go through the Initial Consultation process.

The time taken for the Initial Consultation varies depending on each parties circumstances. The shortest time taken by Kidtropolis is 45 minutes and the longest time was just over 2 hours. The Kidtropolis Team Member will notify you of the time required when they make an appointment with you.

After the completion of the Initial Consultation with all parties, Kidtropolis either approves or declines the Referral. If approved, Kidtropolis files the Initial Assessment Report with the Family Court Co-Ordinator, who then approves the maximum number of sessions.
This process can take anywhere from 2 to 5 working days and Kidtropolis aims to commence the Supervised Contact immediately thereafter.

Provisions Of Service

Yes. Before the commencement of the Supervised Contact all parties have to accept and sign Kidtropolis’ terms and conditions. The provisions are specifically written to provide a safe and neutral place for Supervised Contact to occur and have the best interests of the child(ren) as it’s primary focus.

No. Kidtropolis Team Members will only pass items or messages if it is specifically related to the child(ren)’s immediate wellbeing.

Adult Matters are discussions about Court Proceedings, Social Workers, future plans, making negative comments about the Judicial System, Lawyers and/or other parties. These matters must not be discussed with the child(ren), nor should the child(ren) be questioned about the other Parent / Caregiver. This will maximise the child(ren)’s opportunity for positive experiences.

No. The Kidtropolis Management and Team Members do not consent to be recorded at any time.

Kidtropolis aims to promote positive interactions and support the strengthening of relationships between the child(ren) and Parents / Caregivers. You should contact your legal representative and/or the Counsel for the child(ren) and/or your Case Officer of Oranga Tamariki directly.

For referrals from the Family Court, Kidtropolis is required to provide periodic reports and notifications to the Court and the Counsel for the child(ren).
For referrals from Oranga Tamariki, periodic reports (if requested) are sent to the Case Officer.

Provisions of Service
Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver

Please appreciate that there is a Court Order for Supervised Contact and that the Contact Parent/Caregiver gets to meet the child(ren) for under two hours.

The only acceptable reasons for cancellation are if the child(ren) are unwell or if there is a family emergency or bereavement.

Notify us via sms / telephone message / email at your earliest convenience.

Please note that Kidtropolis records all cancellation along with the reason of non-attendance and is disclosed to the other party.

(If the reason for cancellation is due to the child(ren)’s illness, a medical certificate may be required.)

This is to prevent the parties from accidentally crossing paths with each other. 
As there is a Court Order for Supervised Contact, accidentally crossing paths with the Contact Parent/Caregiver is not a breach of the Protection Order.
However, should the Contact Parent approach or threaten you, please contact the police or your legal representative immediately.

Say the agreed time for Supervised Contact is scheduled between 1:00pm and 3:00pm.

 

The Contact Parent/Caregiver arrives at 1:00pm.
The Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver drops off the Child(ren) between 1:10pm/1:15pm.
The Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver picks up the Child(ren) at 2:45pm/2:50pm.
The Contact Parent/Caregiver departs at 3:00pm.


This ensures at least 90 minutes of quality time between the Contact Parent/Caregiver and the Child(ren).

Please see the attached chart for your specific times.

As the Day-to-Day Parent,

  • You are not to be under the influence of alcohol or any substance when you drop-off or pick-up the child(ren). If you are or appear under the influence, Kidtropolis shall report the matter to the appropriate authorities which includes, but not limited to the New Zealand Police, Oranga Tamariki and/or shall be noted and highlighted in the Court report.
  • You are required to keep your mobile phone switched on whilst the child(ren) are at Kidtropolis and promptly attend to any calls and/or messages.
    (Certain mobile numbers of the Kidtropolis Team Members appear blocked for privacy reasons.)
  • You are responsible for the child(ren)’s behaviour during drop-offs and pick-ups.
  • You are to ensure that the child(ren) are properly toileted/nappies changed before they are dropped off.
  • You are to follow all directions for drop-offs and pick-ups from the designated area/location, and arrive and depart at the time agreed with the Manager/Co-Ordinator.

No.
Kidtropolis shall not hand over the child(ren) to any unauthorised person. Written authorisation along with photographic identification of the authorised person is required at least 48 hours in advance from the Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver before the child(ren) are permitted to leave with another person. The authorised person shall be required to show their original photographic identification prior to picking up the child(ren).

Provisions of Service
Contact Parent/Caregiver

As the Contact Parent/Caregiver, Oranga Tamariki or the Court has granted you the opportunity to see your child(ren). The only acceptable reasons for cancellation is if there is a medical emergency or family bereavement.

Notify us via sms / telephone message / email at your earliest convenience.

Please note that Kidtropolis records all cancellation along with the reason of non-attendance and is disclosed to the other party.

This is to prevent the parties from accidentally crossing paths with each other. 
As there is a Court Order for Supervised Contact, accidentally crossing paths with the Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver is not a breach of the Protection Order.
However, should you approach or threaten the Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver, it could be considered a breach of the Protection Order (if any), and the Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver has been advised to contact the police or their legal representative immediately.

Say the agreed time for Supervised Contact is scheduled between 2:00pm and 4:00pm.

 

The Contact Parent/Caregiver arrives at 2:00pm.
The Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver drops off the Child(ren) between 2:10pm/2:15pm.
The Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver picks up the Child(ren) at 3:45pm/3:50pm.
The Contact Parent/Caregiver departs at 4:00pm.

 

This ensures at least 90 minutes of quality time between the Contact Parent/Caregiver and the Child(ren).

 

Please see the attached chart for your specific times.

No. The only person noted on the Court Order / Oranga Tamariki Referral is permitted to attend the Contact Session.

However, any additional person wishing to attend, and not noted, shall be agreed upon by all parties in writing and is subject to Kidtropolis’ Initial Consultation process.

No. You are required to leave your mobile phone(s), Camera(s), Video Recorder(s) or any other electronic devices at the reception prior to the commencement of the Contact Session.
Should you want a photograph with the child(ren) to capture memorable moments (provided the content is appropriate and is not restricted by a Court Order), the Supervisor will take it and the Kidtropolis management will email it to you.

Yes. Gifts and cards for the child(ren) shall be restricted to birthdays and special occasions. 
All gifts and cards shall be opened, checked and read for appropriateness before it is handed over to the child(ren).

If you wish to give the child(ren) gifts or cards outside of these occasions, please inform Kidtropolis at least one week in advance to obtain approval from the Day-to-Day Parent/Caregiver.

Yes. You are permitted to bring games, toys and activities provided it is appropriate, unwrapped and used during the Contact Session. 
The child(ren) will not be permitted to take them away.

As the Contact Parent/Caregiver, 

  • You shall not speak about any adult matters with the child(ren) or in the presence of the child(ren). This includes but not limited to discussions about Court Proceedings, Social Workers, future plans, making negative comments about the judicial system, lawyers and/or other parties, or questioning the child(ren) about the other Parent/Caregiver.
    If the child(ren) bring up “Adult Matters” it is your responsibility to guide them away from the topic.
  • You assume primary responsibility for the child(ren), including their behaviour during the Contact Session.
    The Kidtropolis Supervisor / Team Member will exercise due care in monitoring the situation, but is not liable for any accidents or injuries to the child(ren).
  • You, along with the child(ren) are responsible for returning all games and toys to it’s designated place before the end of the Contact Session.
  • You may be liable if, you or the child(ren) damage any Kidtropolis’ property during the Contact Session.

The Supervisor will, 

  • Position themselves to remain, within reason, at hearing distance and have a clear view of the child(ren). If they are unable to hear any conversation (e.g. due to ambient noise or whispering), they will intervene, and this shall be noted and highlighted in the Court report.
  • Intervene and/or redirect if the conversation/contact if (in the Supervisor’s sole opinion) it may be distressing for the child(ren).
  • Intervene and/or redirect the conversation if any “Adult Matters“ are discussed.

Yes. Kidtropolis reserves the right to discontinue their services if,

  • The Contact Parent/Caregiver displays violent, threatening or other unacceptable behaviour, either verbal or physical. (It may be necessary for Kidtropolis to contact security and/or the police (who are always on standby) for assistance.)
  • The child(ren) appear distressed or are consistently unwilling to participate.
  • The Contact Parent/Caregiver is under the influence of alcohol or any substance when they arrive for the Supervised Contact. If they are or appear under the influence, Kidtropolis shall also report the matter to the appropriate authorities which includes, but not limited to the New Zealand Police, Oranga Tamariki and/or shall be noted and highlighted in the Court report.

West Auckland

No. The West Auckland branch has a capacity to host over 1,600 sessions annually.

Currently, we operate on Saturdays and Sundays.

Saturdays and Sundays:
From 9:30am onwards.

Yes, subject to availability and agreement between the parties.

Yes. There is ample of parking available in the building.

Auckland Central

No. The Auckland Central branch has a capacity to host over 3,200 sessions annually.

Currently, we operate on Thursdays (afternoon/evening), Saturdays and Sundays.

Thursdays:
By appointment only.
Saturdays and Sundays:
From 9:00am onwards.

Yes, subject to availability and agreement between the parties.

Yes. There is ample of off-street parking available, plus there is a Wilson Parking building next door.

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