Letterbox Service
Our Letterbox Service allows a child to stay connected with a parent in situations where face-to-face contact is not permitted and is not expected to take place in the future. Where direct or supervised contact carries a risk to the child, our Letterbox Service provides a safe, monitored way for a parent to send letters, cards and gifts.
What the service is
The Letterbox Service is designed for arrangements where a parent cannot see their children in person because of identified risks, and where those risks mean contact will not be reintroduced. Rather than ending communication altogether, we act as a safe, neutral intermediary so that a parent can still send age-appropriate correspondence to their child.
We are exclusively focused on contact services and hold NACCC enhanced accreditation, the standard required to operate. Our staff are experienced in managing sensitive arrangements with discretion and care.
How it works
- The sending parent posts letters, cards or gifts to our head office.
- Our trained staff check every item for safety and suitability before it goes any further.
- Anything unsuitable, unsafe or inappropriate is withheld, and the referrer is informed.
- Approved items are forwarded to the receiving parent or carer for the child.
Every exchange is logged so that there is a clear, accountable record of what has been sent and forwarded.
Why it helps families
When direct contact is not possible, children can still benefit from knowing a parent is thinking of them. The Letterbox Service keeps a line of communication open in a way that puts the child's safety first, removes any need for the parents to be in contact with one another, and gives everyone confidence that each item has been checked.
When it is used
The Letterbox Service is typically used where:
- Direct or supervised contact has been assessed as unsafe and will not be reintroduced.
- A court order or local authority arrangement permits indirect contact only.
- Maintaining some form of connection is considered in the child's best interests.
No waiting list
We do not operate a waiting list. As long as both parties engage, we can put the service in place within seven days, rather than the six to nine months families often wait elsewhere.
