When this whānau first came to ACROSS, the parent and child were only able to meet under professional supervision. There had been significant safety concerns and a breakdown of trust. The child was anxious and distressed, and contact could only happen in a carefully managed environment.

Our Supervised Contact Service provided a space for healing. With the guidance of our skilled supervisors, visits were structured to model safe engagement, rebuild trust, and help both parent and child experience positive connection again.

Over time, small but meaningful shifts began to take place:

• A new mindset The parent moved from seeing visits as a “right” to recognising them as an opportunity to create safety and security for their child.

• Rebuilding trust The child began to relax, showing comfort, engaging in play, and initiating conversations with their parent.

• Positive consistency The parent became more reliable, prepared, and emotionally responsive during visits, welcoming feedback from staff and showing a genuine willingness to grow.

• Whole-whānau support They also engaged in wider wraparound supports, including counselling and parenting programmes, demonstrating their commitment to long-term change.

What Success Looks LikeAfter months of supported contact, this whānau reached a milestone, they were able to move to unsupervised visits.But more importantly, they left our service with something far deeper:

• A foundation of trust

• A shared sense of safety

• And a renewed bond between parent and child

At ACROSS, we know that success isn’t just about a whānau leaving our service, it’s how they leave: with understanding, empathy, and the tools to build safe, loving relationships.