Dubai, UAE- The Community Development Authority (CDA) in Dubai continues to enhance its “Child Visitation” system as part of an integrated social approach that places the child’s best interests and quality of life at the forefront of its priorities. The system supports family stability and the continuity of parental responsibility towards children following separation, in alignment with the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33 to build happier, more connected and cohesive families.
The CDA provides the service in collaboration with Dubai Courts, as part of a partnership established in 2013. The specialised system offers a safe and neutral environment for children to meet with one of their parents, supports the continuity of their relationship, and provides follow-up, guidance and social intervention based on the needs of each family.
The system also aligns with the objectives of the Dubai Family-Friendly Strategy by supporting family stability and quality of life across different stages, strengthening parental responsibility, and providing a social environment that enables family members to navigate change with greater stability and cooperation.
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai
Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, affirmed that supporting family stability and safeguarding the child’s best interests are key priorities within Dubai’s social development framework, guided by a vision that places people and families at the heart of the development process.
She said: “We continue to develop proactive social services that focus on prevention and early intervention, supporting families through different stages of their lives. This approach contributes to children’s stability and helps parents build a more cooperative and sustainable relationship that places the best interests and quality of life of their children first.”
85% of Families Complete “Child Visitation” Procedures Without Disputes
Service indicators for the first eight months of 2026 showed that 85% of families completed visitation procedures without disputes, compared with 75% in 2025. This reflects the service’s role in strengthening understanding and cooperation between parents and providing a more stable environment for children.
During the same period, 125 children benefited from the service across 71 cases, while the CDA conducted 2,272 visitation sessions and recorded 38 settlement cases.
In 2025, 169 children benefited from the service, with the Authority conducting 3,408 visitation sessions and recording 37 settlement cases, as part of an integrated system combining service delivery, social follow-up and support for solutions that safeguard the best interests of the child.
Dr Ahmed Al Hashemi, CEO of the Regulation and Community Services Sector at the Community Development Authority
Dr Ahmed Al Hashemi, CEO of the Regulation and Community Services Sector at the Community Development Authority, said: “We measure the success of the service by the impact it has on the lives of children and families. The 85% rate of families completing their procedures without disputes highlights the important role of social intervention in strengthening understanding and supporting the stability of the parental relationship.”
The Authority delivers the service through social assessments, follow-up and specialised intervention plans developed according to the needs of each case. This approach supports more sustainable solutions and strengthens prevention and early intervention across social services.
Dr Naama Al Shamsi, Director of the Family Development Department at the Community Development Authority, said: “We approach each case according to its specific needs through specialised professionals, social assessments and intervention plans. This supports children’s stability and helps parents strengthen understanding and cooperation, while fully safeguarding the privacy of families and the confidentiality of their information.”
The service applies a range of standards and practices that place the child’s best interests first and encourage parents to provide a positive environment during visitation sessions. It also includes monitoring the child’s wellbeing and providing specialised social support whenever needed.
The “Child Visitation” system reflects the CDA’s approach to developing preventive, proactive and integrated social services that go beyond service delivery to achieve sustainable impact, strengthen family stability and quality of life, support the goals of the Dubai Social Agenda 33, and reinforce Dubai’s position as a leading model for social development and quality of life.
SOURCE: MEDIA RELEASE / SUPPLIED CONTENT WITH IMAGES
