About Us

ACCSA (Australian Children's Contact Services Association) is a voluntary association of Children's Contact Services that have the following core functions embedded in its Rules of Association:

(i) To provide a forum to promote debate and a sound analysis of the role and the limitations of Children's Contact Services.

(ii) To establish a network for those involved in establishing or operating Children's Contact Services.

(iii) To disseminate and act as a clearinghouse for information in relation to Children's Contact Services.

(iv) To encourage government and non-government funding for the establishment of, research into, training and evaluation of Children's Contact Services.

(v) To develop and promote the use of standards and protocols for the use and operation of Children's Contact Services, and to provide monitoring and support for compliance with these standards.

(vi) To advise on funding criteria for the establishment of Children's Contact Services.

(vii) To provide a forum where collective action for the promotion of Children's Contact Services can be facilitated. 

(viii) To participate in the formulation of competency standards, skills and qualifications for persons operating Children's Contact Services, and to participate in the formulation of procedures for the acquisition and development of such skills.

(ix) To provide assistance, support and guidance to individuals, families and children affected by parenting arrangement issues, family violence and conflict. To alleviate feelings of helplessness, distress, suffering and misfortune as a result of family violence and family conflict.

(x) To develop research that will assist in responding to the projected needs of people and their families affected by parenting arrangement issues, family violence and conflict and to identify areas of development in respect to service delivery in areas such as children’s contact, changeover and supervised contact services, parenting skills and play groups relating to the special needs of affected people and their families. 

(xi) To provide backup, support and education to other agencies and organisations in order to assist in appropriate service delivery in areas related to parenting arrangement issues, family violence and conflict for affected people and their families.

(xii) To develop research documents that will assist in defining the causes of family violence and the needs of children affected by family violence.

(xiii) To print and publish any newspapers, information, periodicals, books or leaflets that the Association may think desirable for the promotion of its objects.

(xiv) To act as advocate on behalf of people affected by family violence and conflict and to ensure their rights are promoted.