Effective Date: December 31, 2024

I. Introduction: Elevating Global Supervised Parenting

The Southwest Supervised Parenting Alliance (SWSPA) is dedicated to setting the global benchmark for excellence in supervised parenting. These Standards for Supervised Parenting Practice (the "Standards") outline the essential principles and operational requirements for delivering safe, supportive, and impactful services to children and families in transition. They serve as a comprehensive resource for professionals, judicial systems, policymakers, and all stakeholders committed to fostering healthy family connections.

1.1 Purpose of these Standards

These Standards establish the minimum requirements and best practices for all professional supervised parenting services and exchanges. They are designed to:

• Ensure the paramount safety and well-being of all participants.
• Promote ethical, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed practice.
• Guide the continuous improvement and professionalization of the field.
• Serve as a critical resource for Advocacy & Policy Innovation, Global Community & Organizational Vitality, Impact Measurement & Outcome Excellence, and Professional Standards & Foundational Learning (SWSPA's Strategic Pillars).

1.2 Philosophy of the Standards

Consistent with SWSPA's mission and values, the general philosophy of these Standards includes:

• 1.2.1 Child-Centric Focus: The safety, psychological well-being, and developmental needs of the child are the primary consideration in all aspects of service design and delivery.
• 1.2.2 Participant Empowerment: Services are delivered in a manner that respects the dignity, autonomy, and cultural context of all parents and authorized persons, fostering their capacity for positive engagement.
• 1.2.3 Dynamic & Responsive: These Standards are designed to be adaptable to diverse legal, social, and cultural contexts worldwide and will evolve with new research, technology, and societal needs.
• 1.2.4 Professional Integrity: We champion the highest ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability among all providers.

1.3 Applicability

These Standards apply to all SWSPA members who provide professional supervised parenting services and exchanges. Membership in SWSPA signifies explicit agreement to adhere to these Standards, to the extent that they do not conflict with applicable local, national, or international law.

1.4 Historical Development & Revision

This revision, active December 31, 2024, reflects extensive work by the SWSPA Standards Task Force and Standards Committee. It incorporates feedback from global members, legal experts, and child welfare specialists to integrate up-to-date best practices and reflect our revised mission and strategic pillars. Previous versions have been foundational; this document represents a comprehensive evolution. Further updates are anticipated as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.

II. Definitions: Clarifying Our Practice

The following definitions establish shared understanding for terms used throughout these Standards:

• 2.1 Assessment: A component of planned change where a mental health practitioner collaborates with a client to gather information, forming the basis for an intervention plan.
• 2.2 Authorized Person: An individual approved by the court, or by agreement of the parents and/or the provider, to be present during the supervised contact.
• 2.3 Child: A minor, from birth to the age of majority as defined by the applicable jurisdiction.
• 2.4 Client: An individual (child, parent, or authorized person) receiving supervised parenting services.
• 2.5 Community-Based Supervision: Supervised parent-child contact or exchanges occurring at off-site locations within the community (e.g., parks, public venues) managed independently by the service provider.
• 2.6 Competency: The demonstrated ability to apply specific knowledge, skills, and ethical judgment effectively in professional practice.
• 2.7 Confidentiality: The ethical and legal obligation of providers to protect private client information, subject to clearly defined limits (e.g., duty to report harm).
• 2.8 Conflict of Interest: A situation where a provider's personal, financial, or other interests could potentially influence their professional judgment or actions, or create an unfair advantage or disadvantage for clients.
• 2.9 Critical Incident: An occurrence involving a client or participant that threatens safety, results in injury, or necessitates the intervention of external authorities (e.g., child protection services, law enforcement).
• 2.10 Custodial Parent/Caregiver: A biological or adoptive parent, guardian, or state agency/representative holding temporary or permanent physical custody of a child. This may also be referred to as a "residential" parent.
• 2.11 Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (IPV): A pattern of coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, or economic abuse, inflicted on any person in a household by a family or household member. This includes controlling behaviors and threats.
• 2.12 Educational Supervised Parenting / Coaching: Parent-child contact overseen by a third party with a primary focus on interventions that provide information and support to improve a parent’s parenting skills. This level of supervision¹ may include using an evidence-informed parent education curriculum and skill-building activities prior to and after the actual visit. Educational Services may be court-ordered or agreed to voluntarily and in writing by participants.
• 2.13 Ethical Conduct: Behavior consistent with SWSPA's Global Code of Ethical Practice, demonstrating integrity, respect, and professional responsibility.
• 2.14 Evaluation (Mental Health/Custody): A component of a planned change report in which a mental health practitioner and the client assess the progress and success of the planned change report (adapted from Berg-Weger, M., 2005). This term, when used in the context of supervised parenting, refers to comprehensive assessments (e.g., mental health, custody, parenting) that are outside the scope of general supervised parenting providers unless explicitly qualified and licensed.
• 2.15 Exchange (Supervised Exchange/Monitored Exchange): Supervision of the transfer of a child from one parent to another at the start and/or end of a parent-child contact. The supervision is usually limited to the exchange period. Also referred to as "exchange monitoring," "supervised transfer," "monitored exchange," "safe exchange," and "neutral drop-off & pick-up."
• 2.16 Group Supervision: Supervision of parent-child contact where more than one family is supervised by one or more visit supervisors. Also referred to as "multiple-family" supervision.
• 2.17 Informed Consent: The voluntary agreement to participate in services, obtained after a clear explanation of purpose, risks, benefits, limitations, costs, alternatives, and the right to refuse or withdraw. It includes information about the time frame covered by the consent and the right to ask questions.
• 2.18 Intermittent Supervision: Parent-child contact where a parent and child are supervised for part of the time and intentionally left unattended by a visit supervisor for specific, pre-determined periods.
• 2.19 Intervention (Supervised Parenting): Proactive or responsive actions taken by a visit supervisor to ensure safety, promote positive interactions, or address specific goals during supervised contact, as outlined in the service plan.
• 2.20 Neutrality: As used in the context of supervised parenting, it means maintaining an unbiased, objective, and balanced environment, and not taking a position between the parents in providing the service. Providing service in a neutral manner is intended to ensure respect for all individuals in their capacity as parents and to protect children who are attempting to remain in contact with their parents. Being neutral does not mean providers disregard behaviors such as abuse or violence of any kind.²
• 2.21 Noncustodial Parent/Caregiver: A biological parent or other adult who has supervised contact with a child. Also referred to as a "visiting" and/or "nonresidential" parent.
• 2.22 One-on-One Supervision: Parent-child contact supervised by at least one visit supervisor focused solely on overseeing that specific contact.
• 2.23 On-Site Supervision: Supervised parent-child contact at a facility under the direct management of the provider.
• 2.24 Parent/Caregiver: A biological mother, father, adoptive parent, legal guardian, or state agency/representative responsible for a child.
• 2.25 Parent-Child Contact: Any interaction between a parent or other authorized person and one or more children. Contact can be face-to-face, by mail and/or e-mail, telephone, video conference, or other means of communication.³
• 2.26 Participant: Any individual present during a supervised parenting service, including clients, authorized persons, providers, agency staff, or other on-site personnel.
• 2.27 Provider: Any professional person or agency, either paid or unpaid, that is experienced in and trained to deliver supervised parenting services.
• 2.28 Recommendation (Prohibited): The drawing of conclusions and statement of a professional opinion concerning future visitation arrangements, child custody determinations, or mental health diagnoses, unless explicitly authorized by specific professional licensure and within the defined scope of a specialized service (e.g., Therapeutic Supervised Parenting as defined herein).
• 2.29 Risk Assessment: The review and analysis of historical information and observation of behavior for the purpose of deciding whether there is a match between the probability that a client will exhibit dangerous behavior and the capacity of a provider to manage that behavior. Risk assessment, as used in these Standards, is not a mental health assessment.⁴
• 2.30 Safety: Protection from danger or risk of physical, psychological, or emotional injury.
• 2.31 Security: Refers to measures put in place to protect safety.
• 2.32 Supervised Parenting/Supervised Visitation: A generic term that describes parent-child contact overseen by a third party. The primary focus is the protection and safety of the children and adult participants,⁵ providing a safe space/place and the opportunity for the parent-child relationship to grow.
• 2.33 Supportive Supervised Parenting: Parent-child contact overseen by a third party where the primary focus includes the protection and safety of the participants and incorporates active interventions that encourage consistent parent-child contacts, potentially leading to improving the parent-child relationship. This may also be referred to as "facilitated visitation" or "directed visitation."
• 2.34 Therapeutic Supervised Parenting: Parent-child contact overseen by a licensed (or registered, state-certified, or master’s level clinical intern directly supervised by an appropriate licensed mental health professional) clinical practitioner who is trained both in supervised parenting practices and clinical work with families. The primary focus is on establishing, maintaining, improving, or healing the parent-child relationship.⁶ Interventions are trauma-informed and designed to address specific clinical needs. This level of supervised⁷ parenting may be court-ordered or agreed to voluntarily, and in writing, by participants.
• 2.35 Visit Supervisor: Any person who observes and oversees safe parent-child contact during visits and during transitions from one parent to another. A visit supervisor includes an independent contractor and any employee, trainee, intern, or volunteer of an agency provider. Also⁸ referred to as a "child access monitor," "observer," or "visitation specialist."

III. Training & Continuing Education (Aligned with Professional Standards & Foundational Learning - Pillar 4)

This section outlines the requirements for training and ongoing education for all SWSPA providers and staff, ensuring a consistently high level of competency and adherence to evolving best practices.

3.1 General Training Principles

• 3.1.1 Service-Specific Alignment: The training received by a provider must directly correspond with the specific supervised parenting services they offer.
• 3.1.2 Timely Completion: All required foundational training must be completed within six months of employment or engagement.
• 3.1.3 Supervised Practice: Any individual who has not yet completed their required training may provide direct services only under the direct, documented supervision of a fully trained and qualified individual.

3.2 Foundational Training for Visit Supervisors

Any person providing direct supervised parenting services to a client or clinical supervision to another direct service provider must complete a minimum of 24 hours of comprehensive training covering the following essential topics:

• 3.2.1 Core SWSPA Principles: SWSPA Global Standards for Supervised Parenting Practice and the SWSPA Global Code of Ethical Practice.
• 3.2.2 Operational Procedures: Provider-specific policies and procedures related to service delivery.
• 3.2.3 Safety Protocols: Comprehensive safety and security protocols for all participants.
• 3.2.4 Child Protection: Mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting procedures and protocols.
• 3.2.5 Professional Boundaries: Ethical professional boundaries, conflict of interest management, confidentiality, and maintaining neutrality.
• 3.2.6 Child Development: Basic stages of child development, attachment theory, and their implications for parent-child relationships.
• 3.2.7 Family Dynamics: Effects of family separation, divorce, grief, and loss on children and families, including those related to child abuse and neglect.
• 3.2.8 Cultural Competency: Cultural humility, sensitivity, and diversity, including understanding the impact of intersectionality on families.
• 3.2.9 Family Violence: Dynamics of family violence, including domestic violence and intimate partner violence, and their profound effects on children.
• 3.2.10 Child Maltreatment: In-depth understanding of child abuse and neglect, including child sexual abuse.
• 3.2.11 Substance Use: Awareness of substance use/abuse and its impact on parenting capacity and child safety.
• 3.2.12 Special Populations: Provisions of service to parents and children with mental health challenges, developmental issues, or other physical or emotional impairments.
• 3.2.13 Re-Introduction Strategies: Techniques for parent introduction and re-introduction to children in supervised settings.
• 3.2.14 Parenting Skills: Basic parenting skills and strategies for fostering positive interactions.
• 3.2.15 Conflict Resolution: Assertiveness training, de-escalation techniques, and conflict resolution strategies.
• 3.2.16 Intervention Strategies: How and when to safely intervene during visits or exchanges to maintain the safety and well-being of all participants.
• 3.2.17 Observation & Documentation: Objective observation techniques and preparation of factual, unbiased notes and reports.
• 3.2.18 Legal Frameworks: Relevant laws and legal frameworks regarding child custody, visitation, and child protection.

3.3 Practicum Training for Visit Supervisors

Practicum training for all trainees must include supervised practical experience to reinforce theoretical knowledge. This includes:

• 3.3.1 Direct Observation (Shadowing): Direct observation of parent-child contact performed by a trained visit supervisor.
• 3.3.2 Co-Supervision: Co-supervision of visits by the trainee alongside a trained visit supervisor.
• 3.3.3 Independent Supervision with Oversight (Reverse Shadowing): Direct observation by a trained visit supervisor while the trainee independently supervises a visit.
• 3.3.4 Remote Accommodations: For new or geographically isolated trainees, video review of parent-child contact combined with tele-consultation from a trained visit supervisor may substitute initial in-person shadowing and reverse shadowing until an on-site trained visit supervisor becomes available. Once an on-site trained visit supervisor is present, the in-person requirements must be met.

3.4 Specialized Training for Supervised Exchange Providers

Any person providing only supervised exchange services must complete a minimum of 16 hours of specialized training, which specifically includes:

• 3.4.1 Core Standards: SWSPA Global Standards for Supervised Parenting Practice.
• 3.4.2 Exchange Procedures: Provider-specific policies and procedures related to supervised exchanges.
• 3.4.3 Exchange Safety: Safety protocols specifically for exchanges, including physical and psychological safety for all participants.
• 3.4.4 Child Protection: Mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting procedures relevant to exchanges.
• 3.4.5 Professional Conduct: Professional boundaries, conflict of interest, confidentiality, and maintenance of neutrality in exchange settings.
• 3.4.6 Child & Family Impact: Effects of separation and divorce on children and families during transitions.
• 3.4.7 Family Violence in Exchanges: Understanding family violence dynamics and its effects on children specifically during exchanges.
• 3.4.8 Cultural Considerations: Cultural sensitivity and diversity in the context of exchanges.
• 3.4.9 Maltreatment Recognition: Child abuse, including child sexual abuse, and neglect.
• 3.4.10 Substance Use: Awareness of substance use/abuse relevant to exchanges.
• 3.4.11 Special Populations: Provisions of service to parents and children with mental health and developmental issues or other physical or emotional impairment⁹ during exchanges.
• 3.4.12 Re-Introduction for Exchanges: Parent introduction/re-introduction strategies specific to exchanges.
• 3.4.13 Conflict Management: Assertiveness training and conflict resolution specific to exchange scenarios.
• 3.4.14 Intervention During Exchanges: How and when to intervene during exchanges to protect and maintain the safety of all participants.
• 3.4.15 Legal Frameworks: Relevant laws regarding child custody and visitation and child protection pertinent to exchanges.

3.5 Advanced Training for Provider Management

Any individual provider or person responsible for program management, in addition to the requirements of Section 3.2 or 3.4 (if applicable), must complete an additional 16 hours of training covering:

• 3.5.1 Referral Management: Best practices for receiving and processing referrals.
• 3.5.2 Intake & Orientation: Conducting comprehensive intake and orientation, including preparing children for supervised contact.
• 3.5.3 Records Management: Advanced record-keeping practices and client confidentiality protocols.
• 3.5.4 Service Agreements: Establishing clear service agreements and contracts with clients.
• 3.5.5 Fee Management: Transparent fee setting, collection, and financial policy communication.
• 3.5.6 Service Conditions: Establishing and enforcing clear conditions (rules) for receiving services.
• 3.5.7 Facility Management: Setting up and maintaining a safe and secure physical space or location for visits and exchanges.
• 3.5.8 Stakeholder Collaboration: Effective collaboration with courts, child protective agencies, and other referral sources.
• 3.5.9 External Referrals: Principles of referring clients to appropriate external services.
• 3.5.10 Staff Supervision: Training, supervision, and ongoing support for direct service staff, volunteers, and interns.
• 3.5.11 Reporting & Testimony: Preparing reports for courts and referring sources, and providing professional testimony in court.
• 3.5.12 Service Continuity: Suspending and/or terminating services ethically and effectively.
• 3.5.13 Case Management: Advanced case management, review, and oversight practices.

Note: Any person in management who has no direct contact with clients and does not supervise direct service staff is not required to fulfill the requirements of Sections 3.2 or 3.4. Similarly, staff performing only clerical functions with no direct client contact are exempt from supervisor training requirements.

3.6 Supplementary Training for Specialized Supervision Levels

3.6.1 Supportive Supervised Parenting

In addition to foundational training, visit supervisors providing Supportive Supervised Parenting must complete additional training on:

• 3.6.1.1 Child Development: Advanced child development concepts and their application to promoting positive visits.
• 3.6.1.2 Trauma-Informed Interventions: Trauma-informed approaches to facilitate positive visits and support family healing.
• 3.6.1.3 Parenting Skills: Advanced parenting skills and strategies for active intervention.
• 3.6.1.4 Communication Skills: Effective communication techniques for guiding and supporting parents.
• 3.6.1.5 Attachment & Connection: Behaviors that facilitate positive attachment, separation, and reconnection between parents and children.

3.6.2 Educational or Parent Coaching Supervised Parenting

In addition to foundational training, visit supervisors providing Educational or Parent Coaching Supervised Parenting must complete specialized training on:

• 3.6.2.1 Recognized Curriculum: Use of a recognized, evidence-informed parent education curriculum.
• 3.6.2.2 Lesson Plan Development: Skills in developing and delivering structured lesson plans.
• 3.6.2.3 Assessment Process: Understanding and utilizing assessment processes relevant to parent education and coaching outcomes.

3.6.3 Therapeutic Supervised Parenting

Any person providing Therapeutic Supervised Parenting services must be a licensed mental health professional with documented experience in both family therapy and supervised parenting practices. Master's level clinicians pursuing licensure or master's level clinical interns may provide these services only under direct supervision by an appropriately licensed mental health professional.

All providers of Therapeutic Supervised Parenting must complete the foundational training specified in Section 3.2 and possess additional education and experience in areas to meet the specific needs of each family, which may include:

• 3.6.3.1 Complex Family Issues: Domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, and various mental health issues.
• 3.6.3.2 Trauma-Informed Interventions: Advanced training in trauma-informed clinical interventions.
• 3.6.3.3 Systemic Knowledge: In-depth knowledge and expertise in collaborating with local Child Protective Services (CPS) and relevant family court systems.

3.6.4 Community-Based Supervised Parenting

In addition to foundational training, visit supervisors providing Community-Based Supervised Parentingmust complete additional specialized training on:

• 3.6.4.1 De-escalation in Community Settings: Advanced de-escalation techniques specific to public or community environments.
• 3.6.4.2 Emergency Response: Comprehensive emergency response and safety protocols tailored for community settings.
• 3.6.4.3 Risk Management: Enhanced risk management strategies for off-site locations.
• 3.6.4.4 Location Safety Analysis: Methodologies for conducting thorough safety analyses of potential community-based visitation locations.

IV. Referrals & Intake (Aligned with Global Community & Organizational Vitality - Pillar 2)

This section outlines the criteria and procedures for accepting and managing referrals for supervised parenting services.

4.1 Accepting Referrals

• 4.1.1 Referral Sources: Referrals may originate from various sources, including court orders, child protective service agencies (when a child is in custody), mental health professionals, attorneys, or direct parental requests.
• 4.1.2 Written Consent: Parents must provide their written agreement to participate in services prior to service initiation.
• 4.1.3 Information Requirements: Referral information must include clear reasons for the referral and any relevant family history or issues that may impact parent-child contact or participant safety.
• 4.1.4 Clarification of Orders: If a referral lacks clarity regarding the frequency, duration, or type of parent-child contact, or if parents disagree on service delivery provisions, the provider must seek clarification from the court or referring agency.
• 4.1.5 Temporary Conditions: While awaiting clarification, a provider may establish temporary conditions for service use, provided that both parents provide their informed consent to these temporary arrangements.

4.2 Declining Referrals

• 4.2.1 Unmanageable Risk: A provider must refuse to accept any case when the safety needs and risks presented by the family cannot be adequately managed by the provider.
• 4.2.2 Reasons for Declining: Reasons for declining a referral may include, but are not limited to, insufficient training or qualifications of the provider, inadequate resources to provide the requested service, or the presence of safety and/or security risks that the provider cannot reasonably manage.
• 4.2.3 Written Notification: A provider must inform the referral source in writing of the specific reasons for declining any referral.

4.3 Intake & Orientation

• 4.3.1 General Policy: A provider must include a face-to-face interview with each parent separately during the intake or orientation process.
• 4.3.2 Intake Interviews: A provider must conduct interviews with each parent prior to the beginning of service. Providers may collaborate with the court or referring agency in conducting the intake.¹⁰
• 4.3.3 Separate Interviews: Parents must be interviewed separately and at different times to ensure they do not encounter each other, especially in cases involving high conflict or safety concerns.
• 4.3.4 Information Gathering: During the intake process, a provider must inquire about the reasons for the referral and gather information on any family issues that may impact the parent-child contact or the safety of the participants.
• 4.3.5 Health & Safety Inquiry: A provider must inquire about ongoing or chronic medical conditions of the participants that could affect the health and safety of the child,¹¹ parents, or other participants during parent-child contact.
• 4.3.6 Confidentiality & Release of Information: A provider must inform each parent about the limits of confidentiality and obtain a signed release of information from each parent, allowing the provider to communicate with other individuals and/or agencies designated on the¹² release.
• 4.3.7 Program Rules: A provider must clearly explain all program rules and policies to each parent prior to the beginning of service.
• 4.3.8 Service Agreement: A provider must obtain a signed service agreement from each parent prior to the commencement of service.

V. Service Implementation & Oversight (Aligned with Impact Measurement & Outcome Excellence - Pillar 3)

This section outlines the critical processes for delivering and managing supervised parenting services effectively, ensuring safety, consistency, and professional conduct.

5.1 Client Orientation by the Provider

A provider must conduct a comprehensive orientation for each client prior to the beginning of service, which includes, but is not limited to:

• 5.1.1 Familiarization: Familiarization with the staff, the physical site/location of the visits, and relevant security measures.
• 5.1.2 Safety Discussion: A clear and detailed discussion of all safety arrangements and emergency protocols.
• 5.1.3 Service Plan: An explanation of the planned service, including frequency, duration, and any specific goals.
• 5.1.4 Reason for Supervision: Discussion of the reasons for supervision, emphasizing that the supervision is not the child's fault.
• 5.1.5 Client Concerns: An opportunity for clients to express any concerns, ask questions, and seek clarification.

5.2 Child Preparation by the Parent/Caregiver

• 5.2.1 Written Guidance: A provider must give parents/caregivers written information about preparing their children for supervised parenting services prior to the first visit, tailored to the child's age and developmental stage.
• 5.2.2 Key Information for Children: The provider's written information for child preparation must clearly include the plans for service, the general reasons for supervision (in age-appropriate language), and reassurance that supervision is not the child's fault.
• 5.2.3 Age-Appropriate Exceptions: An exception to providing detailed descriptions of service plans, reasons for supervision, and safety arrangements may be made for infants and toddlers, where simpler explanations are more appropriate.

5.3 Staff Preparation for Service Delivery

5.3.1 General Policy

Providers, including all staff and volunteers directly supervising a visit or exchange, must be fully aware of:

• The reasons for each case referral.
• The specific safety risks associated with the service provision for that particular family.
• The complete terms and conditions of the service being provided (e.g., court orders, service agreements).

5.3.2 Conditions for Parent/Child Contact

• 5.3.2.1 Written Policies: A provider must have written policies and procedures regarding the conditions of supervised parenting, addressing issues such as, but not limited to: visitors, acceptable toys, food and drink, gifts, photography/video/audio recording, cellular phone use, pagers, and toileting protocols.
• 5.3.2.2 Neutral Decision-Making: The provider's policies and procedures must ensure that decision-making authority over these conditions is not delegated entirely to one parent.
• 5.3.2.3 Language Accessibility: A provider must ensure that the visit supervisor can speak and understand the language spoken by the parent and the child being supervised. If the visit supervisor cannot, they must be accompanied by a neutral interpreter over the age of 18.

5.4 Interventions and Ending a Visit or Exchange in Progress

5.4.1 General Policies

A provider must have clear, written policies and procedures for intervening in and ending parent-child visits or exchanges in progress. These policies must explicitly cover situations where the provider determines:

• 5.4.1.1 Child Distress: A child is experiencing acute emotional or physical distress.
• 5.4.1.2 Rule Violation: A parent is not adhering to the program rules set forth in the service agreement.
• 5.4.1.3 Imminent Harm: A participant is at risk of imminent emotional or physical harm.
• 5.4.2 Temporary Measure: Ending a client's parent-child contact during a session is a temporary measure and is distinct from the formal termination of service.

5.5 Provider Functions Following Supervised Parenting

5.5.1 Feedback to Parents/Caregivers

• 5.5.1.1 Incident Disclosure: A provider must inform a parent/caregiver if there has been an injury to their child, a critical incident during supervised parenting, or an incident that presents a risk to that parent's safety. An exception applies if a critical incident involves a mandatory report to child protective services and those services instruct the provider not to inform the parent.
• 5.5.1.2 Rule Violations: A provider must inform a parent/caregiver if they have violated a provider rule that may lead to the suspension or termination of services.
• 5.5.1.3 Therapeutic Progress Reports: A Therapeutic Supervised Parenting Provider must review progress on the agreed-upon goals, on an ongoing and agreed-upon basis, through a summary of services report. Such reports must NOT include recommendations concerning child custody or general parent-child contact arrangements outside the scope of the therapeutic process.

5.5.2 Discussion of Cases with Staff (Debriefing)

Providers, other than private providers with no employees or volunteers, must ensure structured supervision and provide regular opportunities for visit supervisors to discuss and debrief on visits or exchanges they have supervised.

5.6 Termination of Services

5.6.1 Reasons for Termination

A provider must have written policies and procedures that clearly set forth the reasons for which services may be terminated, including, but not limited to:

• 5.6.1.1 Unmanageable Safety Concerns: Safety concerns or other case issues that cannot be effectively managed by the provider.
• 5.6.1.2 Resource Limitations: Excessive or unsustainable demand on the provider's resources.
• 5.6.1.3 Non-Compliance: The parent's consistent failure to comply with the established conditions or rules for participation in the program.
• 5.6.1.4 Non-Payment: Non-payment of agreed-upon program fees.
• 5.6.1.5 Violence/Abuse: Threat of or actual violence or abuse by any participant.

5.6.2 Refusal of Child to Visit

• 5.6.2.1 Written Policies: A provider must have written policies and procedures for situations in which a child consistently refuses to participate in parent-child visits.
• 5.6.2.2 Suspension for Detriment: If a child's refusal to visit with the noncustodial party is persistent or severe enough to raise concerns that continuation of services may be detrimental to the child's safety and emotional well-being, then a provider must suspend services pending resolution of the issue through appropriate channels (e.g., court, child protective services).

5.6.3 Procedures for Termination of Services

When a provider formally terminates services, the provider must:

• 5.6.3.1 Client Notification: Inform each parent in writing of the specific reason(s) for the termination of services.
• 5.6.3.2 Referral Source Notification: Provide written notice to the court and/or referring source stating the reason(s) for the termination.
• 5.6.3.3 Documentation: Document the termination and the reasons for termination thoroughly in the client's case file.

VI. Specialized Service Considerations (Aligned with Advocacy & Policy Innovation - Pillar 1)

This section sets forth additional conditions for the delivery of services in situations involving specific complex dynamics, such as child sexual abuse and domestic violence, and guidelines for community-based services.

6.1 Situations Involving Child Sexual Abuse

• 6.1.1 Safety Protocols: A provider must have written policies and procedures for the supervision of cases with allegations or findings of child sexual abuse that prioritize and ensure the safety of all participants using the service.
• 6.1.2 Specialized Training: Any provider supervising parent-child contact when sexual abuse has been alleged or proven must have specific, advanced training in child sexual abuse dynamics and its effects on children.
• 6.1.3 Continuous One-on-One Supervision: The contact between the visiting parent and the child must be supervised continually one-on-one, ensuring all verbal communication is heard and all physical contact is observed.
• 6.1.4 Allegation Protocols: If there is an allegation of sexual abuse under investigation, providers must not accept a referral or must suspend service unless there is a specific court order to the contrary or an explicit opinion from a sexual abuse expert involved in the case that supports continuation under defined parameters.

6.2 Situations Involving Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

• 6.2.1 Safety Protocols: A provider must have written policies and procedures for supervision of cases with allegations or findings of domestic violence that provide for the utmost safety of all participants using the service.
• 6.2.2 Provider Responsibilities: A provider must:
• • 6.2.2.1 Safe Arrival/Departure Plan: Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for the safe arrival, departure, and secure use of the service for the client at risk (typically the victim).
  • 6.2.2.2 Referral to Resources: Refer any victim of domestic violence to a specialized resource expert who can assist and help the victim in developing a personal safety plan.
  • 6.2.2.3 No Shared Decision-Making: Develop and implement policies and procedures that address no shared decision-making between parents, unless shared decision-making has been explicitly ordered by the court in a specific case and assessed for safety.
  • 6.2.2.4 No Parent-to-Parent Contact: Develop and follow policies regarding no physical or verbal contact or interaction between the parents, unless in a specific case contact or interaction is explicitly allowed by order of the court and assessed for safety.

6.3 Community-Based Supervised Parenting Services

6.3.1 General Policies

• 6.3.1.1 Safety First: Providers must thoroughly consider and prioritize the safety of all participants when determining whether to offer community-based parenting services.
• 6.3.1.2 Unique Training: Providers offering community-based services must have specific training that addresses the unique safety and logistical challenges inherent in such settings.
• 6.3.1.3 Clear Responsibilities: Community-based providers should have clear policies and procedures that delineate the provider's and parent's responsibilities for the safety of children during community-based supervised parenting.

6.3.2 Location of Services

• 6.3.2.1 Location Determination: A provider of community-based supervised parenting services is responsible for determining the appropriate location and who can participate after careful consultation with parents and referring sources.
• 6.3.2.2 Restroom Protocols: Providers must have clear policies and procedures that establish how and where parents, children, and providers will access and use restrooms at the visit location, maintaining privacy and safety.
• 6.3.2.3 Additional Policies: Providers must establish policies and/or procedures that address:
• • Appropriateness of Locations: Criteria for selecting and approving appropriate locations for community-based visits.
  • Interactions with Others: How the Provider and parents will interact with other individuals they may encounter in public settings (e.g., at a park, swimming pool, restaurant), ensuring focus remains on the supervised contact.
  • Transportation Responsibility: Clear definition of who is responsible for transportation of the child to and from the community-based location.

6.3.3 Special Considerations for Community Settings

A provider must have written policies and procedures for intervening in and ending parent-child visits in progress. These policies for providers of community-based visitation services should specifically address the unique circumstances and heightened considerations present when providing these services in the community.

6.3.4 Home Visits

• 6.3.4.1 Presence of Others: Providers must have policies and procedures that address who can be present during a supervised visit conducted in a home setting.
• 6.3.4.2 Safety Assessment: Providers must have robust policies and procedures to assess safety considerations and/or the overall appropriateness of any proposed home visit location prior to service delivery.

VII. Reporting & Documentation (Aligned with Impact Measurement & Outcome Excellence - Pillar 3)

This section sets forth standards for the submission of reports and the maintenance of confidential records.

7.1 Reports to Courts and Referring Sources

• 7.1.1 Factual Reports: A provider must have written policies and procedures regarding writing and submitting reports to the court, referring source, or other authorized entities.
• 7.1.2 Objective Content: A provider who submits reports must ensure all reports are strictly limited to objective facts, direct observations, and direct statements made by the parents or participants, and explicitly exclude personal conclusions, suggestions, opinions, or recommendations of the provider regarding custody or future visitation arrangements (unless specifically authorized for Therapeutic Supervised Parenting as defined in Section 2.34).
• 7.1.3 Cautionary Note: When submitting any reports or copies of observation notes, a provider must include a clear cautionary note stating the limitations on the way the information should be used (e.g., "This report contains factual observations for informational purposes and does not constitute a custody evaluation or recommendation.").

7.2 Confidentiality & Record Management

7.2.1 General Policy Statement

• 7.2.1.1 No Privilege: Unlike clients of attorneys, clients of supervised parenting providers typically do not have a privilege of confidentiality that protects against having client records subpoenaed by the court or by another party as part of a court proceeding. Providers must ensure clients understand this distinction.
• 7.2.1.2 Written Policies: A provider must have comprehensive written policies and procedures regarding confidentiality and its limits, including but not limited to the submission of observation notes or reports.
• 7.2.1.3 Maintaining Confidentiality: A provider must maintain confidentiality of client information and refuse to release information without written permission, except as explicitly set forth under Section 7.2.2 in this document.

7.2.2 Exceptions to Confidentiality

In the following situations, a provider may release client information without specific client permission, as required or permitted by law:

• 7.2.2.1 Subpoena Response: In response to a legally valid subpoena or court order.
• 7.2.2.2 Child Abuse Reporting: In reports of suspected child abuse and neglect to the appropriate authority as required by law.
• 7.2.2.3 Duty to Warn: In reporting danger or threats of harm to self or others as required by law.

7.2.3 Parents' Rights to Review Records

• 7.2.3.1 Written Policies: A provider must have written policies and procedures regarding parents' right to review case files in accordance with local, state/provincial, and federal laws.
• 7.2.3.2 Redaction: A provider must respond to a parent's request to review the case file, while carefully redacting (covering over) any personal and confidential information, and any other information protected by law, pertaining to the other parent or the child that is not directly relevant to the requesting parent.

7.2.4 Requests to Observe or Participate in Supervised Parenting

• 7.2.4.1 Professional Observers: A provider must develop clear policies and procedures concerning requests from professional practitioners (e.g., therapists, evaluators, lawyers) to observe a visit, including the specific conditions and parameters for such observation of the parent-child contact.
• 7.2.4.2 Client Participation:
• • 6.2.4.2.1 Policies & Procedures: A provider must develop policies and procedures regarding other clients' (e.g., grandparents, siblings not part of the primary supervised dyad) participation in supervised parenting.
  • 6.2.4.2.2 Authorization: Authorization for additional individuals to participate in a supervised visit must be obtained by court order, approval of a judicial officer, or by explicit written approval of both parents.

7.2.5 Additional Considerations for Documentation

• 7.2.5.1 Dependent Cases: The Southwest Supervised Parenting Alliance acknowledges that the concept of "both parents" for agreement/authorization may not be applicable in dependency cases where parental rights are altered or limited; providers should defer to court orders or child protective services directives in such instances.
• 7.2.5.2 Remote Intake: While face-to-face interviews are preferred during intake and orientation, geographical distance or isolation may pose challenges. In such cases, the provider remains responsible for obtaining all relevant information pertaining to the clients before the commencement of service; this information gathering may be done through secure remote means.