The Guide for Separated Parents
Guide for separated parents: children and the family courts
Deciding what should happen to your children when you and your partner have split up can be difficult. You might not be able to agree who your children should live with, or who they should see.
This guide could help you, whether you are thinking about coming to court or are already involved in a court case. It contains useful information about the court process and provides advice about how you should behave in court and what to expect while you are there.
Also on this website...
Other information is available on this website, such as Help with Separation, Help with Domestic Abuse, Help with the Law and Safety at Court.
If you are struggling to co-parent with an ex-partner, it is also worth considering a Co-Parenting App or a Parenting Plan. Check out more information about Co-parenting Apps here or think about putting together a Parenting Plan here.
Other Parenting and Relationship Resources
Other options...
The resources and websites listed below provide help and advice on options that either avoid going to court or, if court proceedings have started, may help finding a way of agreeing what happens to your children without a court making the decisions for you - which may not be the decisions either parent would have wanted.
Separating with Children 101 (3rd edition)
Separating with Children 101 is an invaluable first source of legal know-how to help every separating or divorcing parent. This 3rd edition, previously know as '101 Questions Answered About Separating with Children', has been fully updated and includes how the new no-fault divorce legislation affects co-parenting, how The Language Project is changing how we talk about separation, and further emphasis on alternatives to court.
What About Aruna?
A series of four free videos that will help you support your children through separation/divorce.
See it Differently
When we argue with our partner or ex-partner, we can get caught up in the heat of the moment. At times like these, it’s difficult to find a way forward. This website provides advice on finding ways to reduce conflict.
Two Wishes
An international non-profit organisation dedicated to the wellbeing of children and families and to reimagining family breakdown, for the sake of our kids. We're here to help you make the most of your couple and family relationships, past, present or future.
Family Lives
If you are thinking about separating or divorcing your partner, or you are already doing so, this website has lots of advice on things which might be worrying you. Read about where to find support, how divorce affects your children and ways you can help them through the process.
Gingerbread
Gingerbread is a charity working with single parent families. Since 1918, we have been at the forefront of shaping policy and services that support single parents. They provide expert advice and practical support for single mums and dads in England and Wales.
They have an excellent section on Making Arrangements for Children.
Only Mums
Support for parents who are looking to make the best decisions for their family during separation and divorce. Where appropriate they encourage parents to explore alternative dispute resolution models that encourage them to resolve issues outside court.
Only Dads
A wide range of articles written by professionals who answer many of the frequently asked questions that get asked by parents.
Dads Unlimited
Dads Unlimited supports the emotional safety of men and those they care about through three key areas; supporting male victims of domestic abuse, supporting men with family separation; and supporting men’s mental health. All of our services use an evidence-based, trauma-informed, person-centred approach.
Relate
Relationship support. Relates' services include relationship counselling, family counselling, mediation, children's counselling, young people's counselling and sex therapy. They also provide friendly and informal workshops for people at important stages in their relationships. We're here to help you make the most of your couple and family relationships, past, present or future.
Tavistock Relationships
A charity for advanced practice, training and research to support couples, individuals and families.
Tavistock Relationships provide clinical services to couples and parents, face to face (in London) and online. They provide a range of affordable services to help people with relationship difficulties, sexual problems and parenting challenges.