Supervised contact visits

The provisions concerning contact visits supervised by a publicly appointed supervisor are laid down in section 43a of the Children Act.

Supervised contact visits by a publicly appointed supervisor are to take the form of protective supervision or supportive supervision. Protective supervision can be used when the child needs to be watched over during contact visits, for example because the parent who has the right of contact has substance abuse problems or is mentally ill. The purpose of supportive supervision is to provide support for the child, the parent or the family during contact visits, for example in establishing contact between the child and the parent who has the right of contact or in cases where there is a high level of conflict between the parents.

It is a condition that the child’s needs indicate supervision of contact visits. The court is obliged to give reasons for ordering supervised contact visits, stipulate the form of supervision and decide the length of the period of the arrangement and the number of hours involved. Pursuant to regulations, protective supervision may be provided for up to 16 hours a year, while supportive supervision may be provided for up to 32 hours. Supervised contact visits must not normally be ordered for a period longer than one year. The municipal child welfare service has responsibility for protective supervision. The Agency for Children, Youth and Family Affairs (Bufetat) has responsibility for supportive supervision. All supervisors are required to provide police certificates of good conduct.

Legislation, etc.

 

• Regulations concerning supervised contact visits (Norwegian only)
• Guide Q 1220 B concerning supervised contact visits pursuant to the Children Act (Norwegian only)
• Proposition to the Storting concerning amendments to the Children Act (the child-oriented perspective in parental disputes) (Norwegian only)