Help with Separation
Help with Separation
This information on this page is designed to help people find help with separating and dealing with issues relating to separation. The information on this page concentrates on resources that help people avoid coming to court or to avoid the need for the court to make decisions on your behalf by reaching an agreement even if you have started a court case.
Before an application can be progressed in court, you are required to attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). The aim of a MIAM is to see if mediation could be used to resolve your difficulties, rather than going to court. Information about MIAMs and mediation can be found here.
Other information is available on this website, such as Help with Domestic Abuse and Help with the Law. Also provided below are Other Parenting and Relationship Resources - 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.
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.
If court proceedings have already started or you are thinking about going to court, make sure you have also read the Guide for Separated Parents: children and the family courts here.
On this Page:
- Understanding Family Mediation Video
- Other Helpful Information
- Avoiding Court - MIAMS and Mediation
- Other Parenting and Relationship Resources
Other Helpful Information
Advice Now
Using Mediation to help you Separate - Citizens Advice
What is Family Mediation?
A survival guide to family mediation.
What is Family Mediation?
Using Mediation to help you Separate - Citizens Advice
What is Family Mediation?
The Family Mediation Council website with explanations, video and useful resources explaining how mediation may be able to help you resolve issues about child care, money and separation.
Using Mediation to help you Separate - Citizens Advice
Using Mediation to help you Separate - Citizens Advice
Mediation is a way of sorting any differences between you and your ex-partner, with the help of a third person who won’t take sides. The third person is called a mediator. They can help you reach an agreement about issues with money, property or children.
Mediation - Cafcass
Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) website providing useful information about mediation, legal aid and the Mediation Voucher Scheme.
GOV.UK - Separation and Divorce
GOV.UK - Making Arrangements for Children
GOV.UK website dealing with the steps you need to take if you are separating or divorcing.
GOV.UK - Making Arrangements for Children
GOV.UK - Making Arrangements for Children
GOV.UK website setting out the steps to agree arrangements for children if you separate together with mediation resources and how to make a court application if you cannot agree.
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.
Don't forget 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.
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.