Child Visitation Supervision

Edmonton | Sherwood Park | Fort Sask

Supervised visitation isn’t just about rules — it’s about people. People do better when they feel safe, respected, and understood.

Step 1: Intake Request

  • Start by completing the intake form or sending us an email. We’ll guide you from there. In the form, you can upload required documents (court order, parenting agreement, or any relevant legal paperwork.)

  • Provide contact details for both parents and children.

  • Once submitted, we review, confirm the details, and move to the next step.

Step 2: Parent Intake Meetings

  • Each parent completes their intake separately — no joint meetings.

  • We arrange a video call with each parent to review policies and procedures.

  • Nothing moves forward until both sides understand and sign the service agreement.

Step 3: Scheduling the Visits

  • Once both intakes and the first payment are complete, visits are scheduled.

  • We follow the court order for frequency, location type, and duration.

  • You’ll receive confirmation of dates, times, and meeting location details.

Step 4: Supervised Visits Begin

  • A trained supervisor is present the entire time.

  • We don’t coach, take sides, or give opinions — we monitor, ensure safety, and take factual notes.

  • Visits can take place in appropriate public settings, community locations, or approved homes as permitted by the court order.

Step 5: Documentation & Records

  • Every visit is documented with date, time, attendance, and neutral observations.

  • Notes are securely stored and only shared under court order, written request, or through legal counsel.

  • Full reports are available if ordered by the court or requested in writing.

Our Trauma Aware Approach

  • We understand not every family comes from calm circumstances. Many arrive with stress, fear, grief, or difficult history — and we keep that in mind.

  • Our goal is never to add to the weight. We approach each visit in a way that keeps things steady, safe, and not heavier than they already are.

  • This isn’t a program — it’s our way of treating people. With care, awareness, and respect for what families have been through.

Policies
Visiting Parent Intake
Residential Parent Intake

“Got questions? We’ve got the answers (and probably a few you didn’t know you had?”

    • It avoids implying one parent has more value or “ownership” over the child.

    • It reduces conflict and emotional stress, especially during high-conflict situations.

    • It better reflects the purpose of supervised visits—supporting parenting time, not defining who is the “better” or “primary” parent.

    • It aligns with a more modern, child-centered approach

    • Parenting time is for the visiting parent and child only—without interruptions from the residential parent.

    • Children’s phones or electronic devices are not allowed during visits.

    • It’s natural for a child to miss the other parent. Calls or messages to the supervisor or child interferes with the visit.

    • Children will be encouraged to enjoy their time fully and comfortably with the visiting parent.

    • Only the visiting parent—or the supervisor, if necessary for safety—may end or shorten the visit.

  • We charge a one-time $150 intake fee for each case. It shows commitment to the process and the process is very time intensive.
    This fee covers the time and work required to:

    • Meet separately with each parent to understand your situation, court orders, safety concerns, and scheduling needs.

    • Review court documents or agreements so visits are carried out correctly and legally.

    • Ensure both parents are heard and understood before visits start — we stay neutral and gather the full picture from both sides.

    • Set up files, policies, communication records, and reporting systems so everything is organized, accurate, and ready for court if needed.

    This intake process helps us start supervision in a fair, informed, and safe way — with the child’s best interests at the centre. The intake fee is $150 and may be paid by one parent or split

    • What We Document:
      Each report includes how the child is dropped off by the residential parent, any interaction with the supervisor, and how the parent supports or prepares the child for the visit.
      At the end of the visit, we document how the visiting parent says goodbye and how the child responds to leaving.

    • Court-Order Compliance:
      We follow the court order exactly as written. No additional rules will be created outside of what the order permits.

    • Drop-Off & Pick-Up Guidelines:
      Transitions can be stressful, so both parents are expected to follow the supervisor’s directions on where and when to meet.
      The residential parent must leave the area once the child is safely transferred and is not permitted to stay near or enter the visit location.

    • Objectivity and Observations

      At Heart & Justice, our reports are written with an emphasis on objectivity, accuracy, and neutrality.
      Our role is not to interpret, diagnose, or judge — but to observe and document what occurs during visits in a clear and factual manner.

      We recognize, however, that children communicate not only through words but also through their behavior, body language, and emotional cues.
      For this reason, our documentation may include objective descriptions of how the child appeared or behaved, such as:

      “The child appeared quiet and hesitant at the beginning of the visit but became more talkative after 15 minutes,”
      or
      “The child smiled, maintained eye contact, and engaged in play with the visiting parent.”

      These statements describe observable behavior, not opinions or assumptions.
      This approach allows our reports to remain credible, balanced, and child-centered, while still providing the court and professionals with meaningful insights into the child’s experience during visits.

  • What This Looks Like in Practice

    • Safety First — Quiet, Predictable, Respectful
      Whether visits happen at home or in public spaces, we do everything we can to keep things calm, structured, and emotionally safe for the child.

    • Clarity Over Confusion
      We keep the process simple, explain what we’re doing and why, and never leave parents or children guessing. Trust comes from being transparent — not from big promises.

    • No One Story Fits All
      Every family has its own history, culture, and way of communicating. We don’t assume. We listen, adjust, and respect where people are coming from.

    • Choice When Possible
      When appropriate, we offer small, meaningful choices — especially to children. Feeling heard can make unfamiliar situations less scary.

    • Strength Over Shame
      We look at what families are doing right — not only what went wrong. We support stability, connection, and resilience wherever we see it.

    Our Bottom Line

    Supervised visitation isn’t just about rules — it’s about people. And people do better when they feel safe, respected, and understood. That’s the standard we hold ourselves to at Heart & Justice.

  • These visits can take place in approved homes or public settings.

    Our trained supervisors remain present, take notes, and ensure boundaries are followed, so children can spend time with their parent in a safe and supportive way.

  • Safety is our top priority — for the child, the visiting parent, and the integrity of the visit.

    If there are concerns that the residential parent may try to have the visiting parent breach, it will be documented and reported as such.

    The residential parent will not approach or harass the other visiting parent or create conflict

    We take the following measures:

    • Supervised, Controlled Transitions
      Parents do not interact during drop-off and pick-up. The residential parent leaves immediately after the child is safely transferred to the supervisor.

    • Supervisor Present at All Times
      The visiting parent is never alone with the child without a supervisor nearby. All interactions are observed and documented.

    • No Direct Communication Between Parents
      Communication happens only through the supervisor or in writing, if needed. This prevents confrontation and false accusations.

    • Documentation for Protection
      Everything relevant to the visit — behaviour, attempts to breach the other party, rules, interference, or safety issues — is recorded factually. This protects both the child and the integrity of the process.

  • We accept e-transfers and Visa/Mastercard (+transaction fee).

    Payments must be made with 48 hours of the visit. Cancellation must be at least 24 hours prior to the visit.

    Banking information will be provided later in the process

  • Many visitation service providers keep each parent’s intake information confidential. They do this to protect privacy, avoid conflict, and prevent one parent’s comments from triggering emotional responses from the other.

    However, this approach can sometimes create imbalances or misunderstandings, especially when one party provides information that may be incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading — and the other parent never has the chance to clarify or correct it.

    At Heart & Justice, we believe that transparency builds trust.
    We share relevant information so both parents understand what has been communicated. This helps:

    • Reduce false or misleading claims

    • Promote honesty and accountability

    • Keep both parents equally informed

    • Prevent surprises or unnecessary conflict later

    We are still careful to protect sensitive personal information — anything relating to safety concerns, addresses, or protected disclosures will never be shared. Our goal is to create a process that is honest, respectful, and child-focused, where both parents operate from the same set of facts.

    If a child says something that indicates they may not be safe or are being hurt, we are required by law to report this to child protection services. We cannot keep that information private.

  • At Heart & Justice Supervision Services, we understand that supervised parenting time is not simply an hourly transaction — it’s a meaningful, high-stakes opportunity for connection, healing, and safety.

    That’s why our rates are higher than many standard agencies in Alberta. Our goal is not to be the cheapest option — it’s to be the most thorough, transparent, and trusted. We invest additional time and care into every stage of the process, including shared intakes, clear communication, and full accountability for both parents.

    We maintain an absolute focus on quality over quantity. We’re not the lowest-cost provider because we believe the safety, dignity, and well-being of your child deserve nothing less.

    While some agencies may view supervised visitation primarily as a revenue-based service, Heart & Justice was built on a different principle. Our mission is not to keep families in long-term supervision, but to help them progress toward independence — rebuilding trust, communication, and stability so that supervision is no longer necessary.

    If a child discloses information suggesting that they may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect, our staff are legally obligated to report this to the appropriate child-protection authorities. This duty to report ensures that every visit remains guided by the principles of safety, honesty, and child welfare.

    Current Rate: $80 per hour
    Transportation: Available for an additional fee

  • It’s not uncommon for parents to change visitation service providers. Often, this happens after one parent receives a report they don’t agree with — or when an agency documents details that one party would prefer to leave out.

    Unfortunately, some families then look for agencies willing to take a more casual approach — ones that write minimal reports, avoid difficult observations, or overlook key information. While that might feel easier in the short term, it doesn’t build trust with the court or support long-term progress for the child.

    At Heart & Justice, we do things differently.
    We maintain accuracy, transparency, and consistency in all reporting — even when the truth is uncomfortable. Our reports are factual, neutral, and complete, so that everyone — parents, lawyers, and the courts — can rely on them with confidence.

    Our goal isn’t to take sides or please anyone.
    It’s to create a record that reflects what actually happens, protecting the safety and integrity of the process, and most importantly, the child’s well-being.