Standards For Supervised Visitation Practice

9.0 Provider's Responsibility For The Child

9.1 Purpose

This section is intended to clarify the boundaries between parent responsibility and provider responsibility for children during the provision of service.

9.2 General Policy

A provider must have clearly defined policies and procedures for parental and provider responsibilities.

9.3 Parental Responsibility

1. While parents are responsible for their own behavior during supervised visitation, a provider may hold a parent accountable for their behavior by ensuring that the parent follows the program policies and procedures, the court order, and the signed service agreement.
2. Parents are responsible for the care of the child and the child's belongings during supervised visits, subject to any contrary order of the court.

9.4 Provider Responsibility

1. Children must not be left unattended with a noncustodial parent (their own or any other custodial or noncustodial parent) any time during visitation services. An exception to this rule is during intermittent supervision as defined under section 2.10.
2. Providers must have written polices and procedures for parent/child contact not covered by court order or agreement of the parents. These policies for the parent/child contact must not delegate authority entirely to one of the parents.
3. Providers are responsible for the care and protection of a child during the transition of the child from one parent to another.

9.5 Off-Site Supervised Visitation

1. A provider of supervised visitation or exchanges off site is responsible for working with the parents and/or referring sources to arrange in advance where the visit will take place and who can participate in the visit.
2. Providers must consider and take into account the safety of all participants in determining whether to offer off-site supervision.
3. In addition to the above, a provider of supervised visitation or exchanges must follow sections 9.4(1) and (3) above.