How to become a supervised visitation provider in Utah

Utah 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 Utah law says, your reporting duties, and where families and referrals come from.

What Utah law says about supervised visitation

Courts may order supervised parent time to protect the child; where abuse or domestic violence is found, courts should prefer trained professional supervisors and set goals for ending supervision. (Utah Code § 81-9-207)

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 Utah

When abuse or domestic violence is found, Utah courts should prefer supervisors trained in abuse reporting, child development and violence dynamics.
Utah courts must consider whether the cost of professional supervision would keep a parent from using parent time.
Utah's resource center for noncustodial parents points parents to supervised parent time and exchange services in the Salt Lake Valley.

Reporting child abuse in Utah

Any person with reason to believe a child is abused or neglected must report immediately. (Utah Code § 80-2-602)

Know how to make a report in Utah 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 Utah

Utah generally lets a person record a conversation they take part in (one party consent). (Utah Code § 77-23a-4(7)(b))

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 Utah

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 Utah's program contracts with local providers, it can be a source of referrals or funded work.

Utah Access and Visitation grant (Utah Administrative Office of the Courts) Funds mediation services.
Utah State Courts Self-Help Center: Families and Children Free help and forms for custody, parent time and support.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Utah

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 Utah 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 Utah 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.