Supervised Parenting Time Saskatchewan

When Courts Order Supervised Parenting Time

Saskatchewan courts order supervised parenting time when a judge determines that unsupervised contact poses a risk to the child's physical or emotional safety. Under the best-interests-of-the-child standard in Section 10 of The Children's Law Act, 2020, the court must weigh the child's safety against the importance of maintaining the parent-child relationship.

Common situations where supervised parenting time is ordered:

• Family violence history — physical, emotional, or a documented pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour
• Substance use concerns — active addiction issues where the parent's ability to safely care for the child is compromised
• Mental health crises — untreated conditions that affect parenting capacity
• Parental abduction risk — credible concerns that the parent may remove the child from the jurisdiction
• Reintroduction after absence — when a parent has been out of the child's life for an extended period and the child needs a gradual, structured reconnection
• Violation of existing orders — repeated non-compliance with parenting time terms that puts the child at risk

Supervised parenting time is not a punishment. Courts frame it as a protective measure. It may be temporary, but its duration and any transition depend on the safety concerns and the court's order.

The Supervised Access Undertaking

Before supervised parenting time can begin, the supervised parent must sign a Supervised Access Undertaking, which is filed with the Court of King's Bench and sets out the terms of supervision.

The undertaking specifies:

• Who the approved supervisor will be
• Where visits will take place
• The duration and frequency of visits
• Prohibited behaviours (e.g., disparaging the other parent, discussing court proceedings, consuming alcohol)
• Whether the supervisor can intervene or terminate a visit
• Reporting obligations — the supervisor may need to provide written reports to the court

Violating the terms of the undertaking can result in contempt of court, further restrictions on parenting time, or termination of visits entirely.

Who Can Supervise

Saskatchewan recognizes two categories of supervisors:

Formal supervision programs. The Ministry of Justice operates Supervised Parenting Time/Exchange Programs in Regina and Saskatoon. These are structured, professional settings where trained staff monitor the entire visit. The facilities are designed to feel less institutional — they usually have play areas and common spaces — but the supervisor maintains visual and auditory contact throughout.

Informal supervisors. In many cases, the court allows a trusted third party to supervise: a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend. The key requirements are that the supervisor must be acceptable to both parents (or at least approved by the court), must be physically present during the entire visit, and must be willing to intervene if the terms of the undertaking are breached.

Courts are cautious about informal supervisors who have a strong allegiance to the supervised parent, since effective supervision requires the willingness to terminate a visit or report violations — something a close family member may struggle with.

What Supervised Visits Look Like

Visits through a formal program typically run two to four hours. The supervised parent and child interact in a controlled environment while a staff member observes. Activities depend on the child's age — playing board games, colouring, reading together, or going to a park within the supervised facility's grounds.

The supervisor doesn't participate in the activities but stays close enough to hear conversations and intervene if necessary. They note the parent's interactions with the child: whether the parent is attentive, whether the child appears comfortable, and whether the parent follows the undertaking's terms.

With an informal supervisor, visits often happen at the supervisor's home or in a public space like a park or restaurant. The expectations are the same — the supervisor must remain present and attentive — but the setting is less structured.

Transitioning to Unsupervised Parenting Time

To move toward unsupervised visits, the supervised parent typically needs to demonstrate that the underlying concerns have been addressed. This might mean:

• Completing treatment programs for substance use or mental health, with documentation
• Maintaining a consistent record of supervised visits without incidents
• Participating in parenting courses or counselling
• Building the child's comfort through progressively longer or less structured visits

The transition usually requires a variation application (Form 15-26) to the Court of King's Bench, supported by evidence of changed circumstances. Some orders include a built-in step-up plan — for example, six months of supervised visits followed by a review hearing where the court assesses whether supervision is still needed.

The Saskatchewan Child Custody and Parenting Plan Guide covers how supervised parenting time fits within the broader parenting plan framework, including how to structure step-up schedules and document readiness for a transition to unsupervised contact.

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