What to Expect in Your First Supervised Contact Session – Gladstone Families

Strongly Kinnected
Nov 2, 2025
4 min read

At Strongly Kinnected, we understand that beginning supervised contact can bring up a mix of emotions — hope, worry, relief, even uncertainty. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or carer, our goal is to walk beside you so that every visit feels safe, respectful, and focused on what matters most — your child’s wellbeing and connection.

This guide explains how supervised contact works in Gladstone, Calliope, Boyne Island, and Tannum Sands, as well as what to expect in your first session with Strongly Kinnected.

Parent and child holding hands at supervised contact.

Our Approach

Strongly Kinnected was founded to provide trauma-informed, child-centred contact services for families across Gladstone, Biloela, Rockhampton, and Central Queensland. We believe that supervised contact should never feel clinical or cold — it should be a space where children feel comfortable, cared for, and free to be themselves.

Our team of qualified social workers provides independent, HSQF-aligned support that balances safety, empathy, and professionalism.

Why Families Use Supervised Contact

Families come to supervised contact for many reasons. Some are working toward reunification after Child Safety involvement; others are navigating separation or Family Court matters. Whatever the reason, our role is to provide a safe, neutral environment where children can maintain meaningful relationships without fear or tension.

Supervised contact is used when:

There are concerns about safety or wellbeing.
Parents are rebuilding trust and consistency.
A court, agency, or agreement requires independent oversight.
Families often need help managing complex emotions or navigating difficult communication.

Our focus is never on blame — it’s on creating safe opportunities for reconnection.

Before Your First Visit

Before your first supervised contact in Gladstone, we’ll guide you through a gentle, step-by-step intake process designed to ease anxiety and support understanding.

We Listen First. You’ll have time to share your story, ask questions, and talk through any worries.
We Review the Details. We go through court orders or referral requirements to make sure everyone’s clear about expectations.
We Create a Safety Plan. Together, we plan how arrivals, departures, and the visit itself will run smoothly and respectfully.
We Focus on the Child. We think about how to make the space welcoming and predictable for your child — because when children feel safe, they can enjoy their time with you.

You’ll receive clear information about what to bring, the duration of visits, and who will be present. Our aim is to remove the unknowns so you can focus on the connection, not the logistics.

During the Session

Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by one of our social workers. The space will be calm, private, and set up with age-appropriate play resources, art, and games.

During the session, we:

Support both parent and child to relax and enjoy time together.
Observe quietly, stepping in only if guidance or reassurance is needed.
Document factual notes in line with child-safe and ethical reporting standards.
Encourage moments that build warmth, trust, and shared joy.

If the visit occurs off-site (such as a park or community space), we apply the same trauma-informed principles — ensuring emotional safety, consistency, and dignity for everyone involved.

At the end, we’ll help make goodbyes smooth and reassuring for the child, often using calming rituals or language that suits their age and temperament.

Keeping Children Emotionally Safe

Strongly Kinnected’s work is guided by trauma-informed, culturally safe practice. That means we pay attention not only to what happens during visits, but also to how children feel before, during, and after contact.

We:

Prepare children gently, at their level of understanding.
Encourage comfort items, familiar routines, and positive reinforcement.
Support parents to read their child’s cues and respond with empathy.
Celebrate small wins — a smile, a shared game, or simply feeling comfortable again.

We also collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and services to ensure culture, identity, and community connections are respected and upheld.

After the Visit

Following your visit, we invite quiet reflection. You may wish to note what felt positive, what challenges arose, or what your child responded to best. These insights help us plan next steps together and ensure each visit continues to build safety and connection.

Our supervisors and Director remain available for follow-up conversations or additional support between sessions if needed.

Booking with Strongly Kinnected

Referrals can be made directly by parents, Child Safety, lawyers, or support agencies. Booking is easy:

Complete our Referral Form (available on our website or by request).
We’ll contact you within 24 hours to confirm details and book intake meetings.
Once arrangements are confirmed, we’ll support you every step of the way.

If you’re unsure where to start, we’re always happy to provide a confidential conversation to explain the process.