Supervised changeovers
Staggered handovers at a neutral place, so your child moves between parents without the parents meeting, with a report of each changeover.
What a supervised changeover is
A supervised changeover is a brief, staggered handover, so your child can move between homes without the parents meeting.
Our supervised changeovers follow a strict safety plan, with staggered arrival times and separate entry points for each parent. Our trained staff act as a reassuring bridge, focused entirely on the child's comfort during the handover. The priority is a transition as positive and stress-free as possible.
Wherever possible we keep the same supervisor across your changeovers, so the person your child meets on the first day is the person waiting for them months later.
Many of our families come with Family Court orders. We also work with parenting plans and private agreements between parents, provided our safety requirements are met.
How a changeover runs
Parents arrive separately. The supervisor greets your child at the neutral entry point.
The supervisor oversees your child's transition, with their comfort in mind at all times.
The departing parent leaves. Only then is the other parent contacted to arrive.
The supervisor checks in with your child and the receiving parent, so everyone leaves comfortable and clear about what happens next.
The reports
After each changeover the supervisor writes a detailed but concise report of what happened, noting the strengths and any issues. It is included in the price of the package.
Both parents receive the same report within 3 business days, so there is one objective record of each changeover rather than two competing accounts.
The changeover package covers both directions on one day, and each direction has its own report. Our reports are written to be filed in the Family Court.
Family lawyers will find how to refer and what every report contains on our page for family lawyers.
Venues
Changeovers take place in neutral, child-friendly locations that support a calm transition between parents.
We choose venues that put the comfort and wellbeing of children first: parks, community spaces, or public areas with low stimulation, across Sydney, the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Illawarra. A short walk through the venue beforehand helps a child know what is coming.
Where a court order names a venue, or an arrangement needs something different, such as changeovers on different days, tell us at intake and we will work to it.
Fees, GST included
Fixed fees with no admin fees, no handover fees and no waiting list. The reports are included.
| Service | Weekday | Saturday | Sunday | Public holiday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Changeover packageBoth directions on one day, with two reports | $290 | $330 | $370 | $450 |
| Single changeoverOne direction | $180 | $200 | $220 | $270 |
For other arrangements, such as changeovers on different days, contact us. A travel allowance may apply when the supervisor needs to travel more than 30 minutes to the venue.
Preparing your child
Most changeover nerves are not about the other house. They are about not knowing when they are coming back.
Where they are going, who will be there, and when they will see you again. The last one matters most: "I will see you back at the same park on Sunday afternoon" settles a child faster than any amount of reassurance.
If you can, walk through the venue beforehand so the place is already familiar, and pack the bag together the night before, so nothing is rushed on the day and your child knows what is coming with them.
Children at a changeover watch the face of the parent they are leaving. If you look upset, they read it as evidence that being happy to go is a betrayal.
Saying plainly that you want them to have a good time, and that you will be fine, lifts a weight most children carry without ever mentioning it.
We provide a photo of the allocated supervisor in advance, so your child recognises their support person on arrival, and where appropriate we can arrange a short introductory call or meeting first.
It helps to explain the supervisor's job in your child's own terms: they are the person who says hello, walks you across, and makes sure everything goes smoothly.
For children who are not yet ready to begin contact: a one-hour session at the child's home, where they meet their supervisor somewhere familiar and unpressured. The supervisor answers the child's questions, explains what will happen in age-appropriate terms and begins to build trust, and a written report follows.
It is $220 on a weekday and $280 on a weekend, and we recommend it strongly. Mention it during your intake.
Call, email, or start your intake online. There is no waiting list, and we can begin as soon as both parents have completed intake.
Family Konnect is an affiliate of the Australian Children's Contact Services Association, ensuring professional and ethical service delivery.
