How to become a supervised visitation provider in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania law lets courts order supervised visitation, but there is no statewide license for providers. The court order in each case decides who may supervise. This guide covers what Pennsylvania law says, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What Pennsylvania law says about supervised visitation

Defines general, professional and nonprofessional supervised physical custody; professional supervisors need training in domestic violence, child abuse and trauma. (23 Pa.C.S. §§ 5322, 5323)

Read your court order closely in every case. It can name who may supervise, set conditions, and say who pays.

Key facts for providers in Pennsylvania

A professional supervisor in Pennsylvania needs education and training on domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and trauma.
When there is ongoing risk of abuse, Pennsylvania courts presume supervised custody and favor professional supervision.
Nonprofessional supervisors are allowed only if professionals are unavailable or unaffordable, and must sign an affidavit of accountability.

Reporting child abuse in Pennsylvania

Listed categories of adults must report. Others are encouraged to. (23 Pa.C.S. § 6311)

Know how to make a report in Pennsylvania before your first visit, and explain your reporting duty to both parents at intake. Stopping a visit to keep a child safe always comes first.

Recording visits in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania generally requires everyone's consent to record a private conversation. (18 Pa.C.S. §§ 5703, 5704(4))

Many providers don't record visits at all. If you do, get written consent from both parents at intake, and follow the court order.

Where families and referrals come from in Pennsylvania

Most families look for a provider right after a judge orders supervised visits. Family law attorneys, mediators, court self help centers and state funded programs are the people they ask first.

Every state receives a federal Access and Visitation grant for services like supervised visitation, neutral exchanges and parenting plans. Where Pennsylvania's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

Pennsylvania Access and Visitation Program (Pennsylvania Department of Human Services) Funds mediation, parenting plans, counseling, parent education, visitation monitoring, supervised visitation and neutral exchange.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Pennsylvania

Check your county family court's website and self help center for local rules or provider lists.
Complete training in child safety, domestic violence awareness, neutral observation, report writing and ending a visit safely. The Supervised Visitation Network publishes practice standards many providers follow.
Get a background screening and liability insurance. Families, attorneys and some courts expect both even where Pennsylvania law doesn't require them.
Set your rates, service area, visit locations and cancellation policy, and write a services agreement and intake form. Have a Pennsylvania attorney review them.
Introduce yourself to local family law attorneys, mediators and the court's self help center, and ask how to join any provider list.
List your services where families search, so they can see your rates and book you online.

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Sources

General information only, not legal advice. Laws change, and this information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Confirm it with a licensed attorney in your state before you rely on it.