Do you offer a free 15-minute consultation?

Yes. Wallen Family Law offers a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation so you can outline your situation, get initial guidance and understand next steps before formally engaging the firm.

Do you take Legal Aid matters?

Yes. Wallen Family Law is an accredited Legal Aid NSW panel firm and can assist eligible clients with parenting, property and family violence matters.

Do you have fixed-fee family law services?

Yes. The firm publishes clear, fixed-fee options for matters such as divorce applications, consent orders and some agreements so you know your costs upfront.

Can you help if I can’t pay legal fees right now?

Yes. The firm partners with JustFund to offer legal funding for family law matters so you can progress your case now and repay from your property settlement later, subject to eligibility.

Where are your offices?

Wallen Family Law meets clients in South Sydney (Kogarah), the Northern Beaches (Warriewood) and The Hills District (Norwest). The team also assists clients across NSW online and by phone.

Supervised Time in Parenting Cases

4 Mar

Written By Melody van der Wallen - Principal Lawyer

In some parenting disputes, the court may determine that a child should spend time with a parent under supervision.

Supervised arrangements are sometimes used where there are concerns about safety, including concerns relating to drug or alcohol use.

These arrangements allow a child to maintain a relationship with a parent while appropriate safeguards are in place.

You can read more about how substance use concerns affect parenting matters in our guide to Drug and Alcohol Issues in Parenting Proceedings.

When Supervised Time May Be Ordered

Supervised time may be considered where the court believes that unsupervised contact could place a child at risk.

This may arise where there are concerns about:

• drug or alcohol misuse
• family violence
• mental health issues
• significant parenting conflict
• safety concerns during time with the parent

Supervision can help ensure the child remains safe while preserving the relationship with the parent.

Types of Supervision

Supervision arrangements can take different forms depending on the circumstances of the case.

These may include:

Professional Supervision

This may occur at a contact centre where trained staff monitor interactions between the parent and child or through a formal supervision service.

Family Supervision

In some situations, supervision may be provided by a trusted family member or third party agreed by the parents or ordered by the court.

A temporary Arrangement

Supervised time is often temporary rather than permanent.

The court may review arrangements once certain conditions are met, such as:

• Completion of counselling or rehabilitation
• Negative drug or alcohol testing results
• Demonstrated parenting stability

Over time, parenting arrangements may gradually progress to unsupervised time where appropriate.

The Court’s Approach

The court’s goal is generally to support safe parenting arrangements while allowing children to maintain meaningful relationships with both parents wherever possible.

Supervised time can be one way of managing risk while supporting the child’s ongoing relationship with a parent.

Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Every family law matter is unique and requires specific legal guidance. Always seek professional legal advice for your specific situation.

Melody van der Wallen - Principal Lawyer

Melody van der Wallen is the Principal Lawyer at Wallen Family Law, with more than a decade of experience in family, property, and commercial law. Her background in property and litigation gives her a strong edge in complex financial and parenting matters. Melody is passionate about helping families resolve disputes through Family Dispute Resolution and practical, child-focused outcomes. As a local mother of two, she brings empathy and real-world understanding to every case she handles.