Supervised visitation is parenting time that takes place in the presence of a neutral third party — the supervisor. In British Columbia, it's most often ordered by the court when there are concerns about a child's safety or well-being during visits with a parent, such as family conflict, substance use, or a long absence from the child's life.
What happens during a supervised visit
The supervisor is present for the entire visit. Their job is to keep the visit safe, neutral, and child-focused:
- Safety first. The supervisor watches the interaction and steps in if a child is distressed or unsafe.
- Neutrality. The supervisor doesn't take sides. They're not there to judge parenting — they're there to observe and support.
- Documentation. After the visit, the supervisor writes a factual report: what happened, how the child responded, and any concerns. Lawyers and courts rely on these reports.
Supervised visits vs. supervised exchanges
A supervised visit means the supervisor stays for the whole visit. A supervised exchange (or monitored transfer) means the supervisor is only present for the handoff of the child between parents, to keep the transfer calm and conflict-free.
How to prepare
- Arrive on time and follow the visit rules you agreed to.
- Keep the focus on your child — avoid discussing the court case or the other parent.
- Bring what your child needs: snacks, diapers, comfort items.
- Be patient. Supervised visits often feel awkward at first; most families settle in after a visit or two.
How Family Visitation Services BC works
We're a Lower Mainland supervised visitation service (Surrey, Delta, Langley, Burnaby and surrounding areas). Visits are supervised by trained, neutral supervisors at $90/hour, with a $150 intake covering both parents and the child orientation. Every visit ends with a clear written report.
Need to book a supervised visit?
Contact us to get started — we typically respond within one business day.