How to become a supervised visitation provider in Washington

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

What Washington law says about supervised visitation

Courts may limit a parent to supervised contact, presuming a professional supervisor unless a proven lay supervisor is used because a professional is unavailable or unaffordable. (RCW 26.09.191)

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 Washington

In Washington, supervised contact is presumed to be done by a professional supervisor unless the court finds a lay person appropriate.
The supervisor and the supervised parent must both acknowledge written court guidelines before visits start.
Washington's supervisor must be willing and able to step in when a parent's behavior goes against the court order.

Reporting child abuse in Washington

Listed professionals must report at the first opportunity and within 48 hours. (RCW 26.44.030)

Know how to make a report in Washington 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 Washington

Washington generally requires everyone's consent to record a private conversation. (RCW 9.73.030(1))

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 Washington

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

Washington Access and Visitation grant (DSHS Division of Child Support) Funds mediation, neutral exchange, parenting plans, supervised visitation, counseling and parent education.

Steps to start providing supervised visits in Washington

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 Washington 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 Washington 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.