FIRST Hub is a child-focused impartial service
In society, many families become separated, which leads to challenges regarding co–parenting and child contact.
The FIRST Hub offers supported, supervised and observed Child Contact, as well as preparation for direct and in-direct contact and handover, in a safe and comfortable environment where children living with one parent/carer can meet their non-resident parent/family member.

We are a child-focused impartial service, which puts the needs of the children first. Contact Centres provide a facility for maintaining contact between the child and non–resident family member whilst a longer-term solution is established.
- The Child Contact Centre is a place where children living with one parent can meet the parent they do not live with in a safe comfortable environment. Research tells us that children have better outcomes when they have contact with their non-resident parent.
- When requested, contact workers will support parents and children to encourage a deeper relationship between the child and the contact parent by aiding communication around the child’s interests therefore reducing stress and conflict.
- The Child Contact Centre is run by a team of trained staff and volunteers whose primary role is to help parents make sure their child’s contact experience is positive.
- The most important people in the Child Contact Centre are the children.
What does FIRST Hub offer?
Types of Contact
The FIRST Hub Child Contact Service provides safe contact on the Isle of Wight, in order to introduce or re-introduce contact between children and their non-resident parents or other family members.
Our Contact Centre offers a range of services including supervised and supported contact sessions, preparation for direct and in-direct contact and handover. We can deliver supported contact to families on the Isle of Wight 6 days a week (not Sundays).
There is a one-off referral fee for supported contact and then access to this service is subject to the fees in our fee table below. Supervised Child contact provides closely supervised, individual family contact sessions.
Supported Contact
This takes place in a large playroom and up to eight families can attend each session. Contact Workers supported by trained volunteers observe the sessions. Conversations are not monitored. Supported Contact takes place every Saturday, with three sessions to choose from, subject to availability.
There are opportunities to volunteer within Contact and other areas at the centre. Please click the link below for more information:
Supervised Contact
This is for one family at a time and two Contact Workers observe and monitor the session, including conversations. Supervised contact takes place up to a maximum of two hours per contact session.
For details and times, please contact us.
Handover
Where the non-resident family member can take the child away from the centre. The role of the Contact Workers is to facilitate the handover of the child from one party to another, so they have no need to meet directly.
This is done at the beginning and the end of the time out of the centre. Handover can take place 6 days a week Monday to Saturday.
Indirect Contact
Where letters are passed from one party to the other via the contact centre so there is no need to meet directly. Both parties’ contact details are kept confidential and are not shared
Using The Service – Cost – Availability - Referral
Using the service
All families must be referred via one of our referral/application forms (see below), and are subject to a one-off referral fee. The referral forms must be signed by both parties and as such we usually request that families are referred via a third party such as a solicitor, social worker etc. Self-referrals can be accepted.
Contact Workers risk assess every case and allocate contact dates and times accordingly. All families must attend a pre-visit prior to contact sessions taking place and all parties must sign and agree to our ‘conditions of use’. All child contact sessions will take place at our centre in Ryde, Isle of Wight.
What does it cost?
- Referral fee – £50.00 (One off fee for all contact applications.)
- Supported Contact - £25.00 per hour/per child (additional children half price)
- Supervised Contact – £30.00 per hour/per child (additional children half price)
Observation notes will not be given to parents after a session, however (upon request) parents can book a review after 6 sessions where a summary/report of the sessions will be produced by the relevant members of staff for a fee. - Summary/Report for parents (after 6 sessions) £40.00
- Virtual Contact (by Zoom or Teams) - £20.00
- Handover – £15
- Indirect contact - £15 per letter
- Executive Summary Report for Court £60.00
- Drugs/alcohol testing (pre child contact session) £10.00
*At the centre Manager's discretion, there may be financial help for parents with fees for services.

Availability
- Supervised contact sessions: By appointment between 9.30 am and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday
- Supported contact sessions: By appointment between 9.30 am and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday
- Handover: Monday – Saturday by appointment
- Life story work/identity work/indirect contact: To discuss with parents
- Early intervention - To be discussed and agreed with parents
- Parental Alienation - To be discussed and agreed with parents
- Reunification - To be discussed and agreed with parents
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