Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program
What is the Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program (SPTEP)
The Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program is a service provided by the Family Court Counsellors’ Office.
Supervised parenting time provides parenting time between a child and a parent. The parenting time is supervised by a program staff and takes place at a child-centered venue equipped with toys and games to ensure a child-focused and positive experience for the child.
By comparison, supervised exchange is where one parent brings the child to the visiting place, and the other parent picks the child up to exercise their parenting time. A program staff supervises the exchange of the child(ren) to ensure the parents do not engage during the exchange.
Parenting time and exchanges are supervised by a program staff who completes observational notes which are filed in court and provided to the parties’ lawyers (or to the parties, if self-represented).
How do I access the program?
A judge may order that supervised parenting time and exchange take place for a variety of reasons. The initial referral for supervised parenting time must come from a court order.
Once the court order is received by the Family Court Counsellors’ Office, the parties must participate in the screening process to determine if they meet the requirements to participate in the program.
There is no cost to families to access the service. Service delivery is provided based on the availability of the program.
Where does the parenting time or exchanges take place?
The supervised parenting time and exchange service is provided by the Family Court Counsellors’ Office at the Family Law Centre in Charlottetown. There are additional sites in Summerside and Montague. If an alternate location is requested, it will be up to the program coordinator to determine the availability of an alternate location.
Who supervises the parenting time and exchange visits?
A program staff person that has received training to be an observer supervises the parenting time and exchanges.
Who can I contact for more information?
Supervised Parenting Time and Exchange Program
Family Law Centre (Charlottetown)
Phone: (902) 368-6928