Paulette Sewell and Claire Behi saw the need for a more personalised touch when supervising children who are caught in the middle of problems that are well beyond their years.

With 30 years' experience in the government and non-government sector, the women started SuCo Supervised Contact Services this year.

They are thriving thanks to support of Illawarra solicitors and government and non-government agencies.

"There are long waiting lists and we saw the need in the community for a more personalised service where we get to know all our clients, spend more time with them and hopefully make more positive visits for the children," Ms Sewell said. 

"People who come to us are usually at a really difficult stage in their relationships and they can't communicate," she said.

"We come in and mediate between them. In a perfect world both parents are happy for a child to see the other parent, but unfortunately when relationships are broken down so badly, often they don't want anything to do with each other.

"We do the necessary risk assessment, background checks and we make sure that children can see both their parents and everyone feels safe. All parties can leave at any time and a child is never forced to do anything they don't want."

Ms Sewell said SuCo had two types of clients - those referred from court orders and those in foster care.

"There could be drug issues, mental health issues, mothers and fathers at very different places and basically we try our hardest to communicate with both parents and get compromises.

"That's what's so important. We are dealing with people's children, who are so precious to them, so we have to be very understanding," she said.

SuCo consists of a team of 15 and are looking for experienced staff that have availability during the week, especially after school hours and weekends.

"We have a very different range of staff and we try and fit the best worker to the family," Ms Sewell said.

ABOUT SUCO

For a few precious hours each week Natalie gets to cook and draw pictures with her five-year-old daughter.

The rest of the time she’s not allowed near her little girl. She’s one of countless Illawarra parents trapped in the ugliness of a custody dispute – her marriage breakdown having far-reaching ramifications.

All Natalie wants is her daughter back in her own bed, but she knows she has to follow the rules of the law.

‘‘I went through a very bad domestic violence situation and I became quite unwell,’’ Natalie told the Mercury.

‘‘I had to go down the track with court to get custody of my youngest daughter. It’s been really tough, it’s been going on for about four years, just awful,’’ she said.

‘‘I desperately want her back but I have to go through the courts and fight solicitors. I don’t have thousands of dollars to pay. I just have to hope I get her back and I think I will, so in the meantime, all I have is these visits.’’

Natalie was directed to SuCo, the Illawarra’s only private supervised contact service. 

‘‘It’s been a godsend, it’s saved me,’’ Natalie said.

‘‘The court referred me to SuCo probably five months ago and they’ve been really excellent. I get to see my little girl twice a week for two hours and I cherish every minute.’’

‘‘We usually do craft or cooking, go to the beach, she likes to cook cupcakes and my older children get to see her as well. 

‘‘If I didn’t have that I don’t know what I would do, I honestly don’t.’’

- CYDONEE MARDON