Part II Orders With Respect To Children In Family Proceedings
General
11AF1Contact activity directions
1
This section applies in proceedings in which the court is considering whether to make provision about contact with a child by making—
a
a contact order with respect to the child, or
b
an order varying or discharging a contact order with respect to the child.
2
The court may make a contact activity direction in connection with that provision about contact.
3
A contact activity direction is a direction requiring an individual who is a party to the proceedings to take part in an activity that promotes contact with the child concerned.
4
The direction is to specify the activity and the person providing the activity.
5
The activities that may be so required include, in particular—
a
programmes, classes and counselling or guidance sessions of a kind that—
i
may assist a person as regards establishing, maintaining or improving contact with a child;
ii
may, by addressing a person's violent behaviour, enable or facilitate contact with a child;
b
sessions in which information or advice is given as regards making or operating arrangements for contact with a child, including making arrangements by means of mediation.
6
No individual may be required by a contact activity direction—
a
to undergo medical or psychiatric examination, assessment or treatment;
b
to take part in mediation.
7
A court may not on the same occasion—
a
make a contact activity direction, and
b
dispose finally of the proceedings as they relate to contact with the child concerned.
8
Subsection (2) has effect subject to the restrictions in sections 11B and 11E.
9
In considering whether to make a contact activity direction, the welfare of the child concerned is to be the court's paramount consideration.