Agency sets up court services team

During 2002, 60 new cases were referred to Appogg's supervised access visits unit, which forms part of the agency's newly set up court services team, the government agency said yesterday.

The team aims to maintain children's relationships with their parents during periods of crisis, such as in the course of marital separation procedures and in cases of neglect and abuse.

Families are referred to this service by the courts, or the Ministry for Social Policy's Children and Young Persons Advisory Board.

Through the supervised access visits service, an agency qualified supervisor is present when the children meet the non-custodial parent, either at the agency's specially designed premises or at another venue as established by a court.

Supervision provides continuous support for the family and it can reduce serious conflicts between parents in the best interest of their children.