Family separation

There is information available on GOV.UK on making arrangements for your children if you divorce, separate or want to agree contact with your child/ren. It takes you step-by-step through the process:

• agreeing a parenting plan together
• what to do if you can’t agree on a plan
• finding help through mediation
• finding a solicitor and support with legal advice
• applying for a court order
• the role of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)

Visit gov.uk to follow each step

Mediation is required before applying to court. It can also be a very helpful, less expensive and less stressful way of resolving differences as an alternative to going to court. A mediator can help you and your ex-partner agree on child arrangements, without taking sides. A mediator does not make a decision but helps you both to have time to express how you feel, what you would like to happen, and help you to look at the pros and cons of each decision. You can ask a family member of friend you both trust to support you both, or you can use a formal mediation service - find a local mediator

There is financial support available for mediation through legal aid and a new time limited government voucher scheme

A legal adviser might be able to help you solve a problem or give you advice about what to do next.

You can find and pay for a legal adviser yourself or get help to pay if you’re eligible for legal aid.

You can also get free and lower cost advice from a legal adviser through organisations like charities and government departments.

The Law Society provide a register of solicitors and allows you to search for one in your area.

Legal aid can help you pay for the costs of a legal adviser, for example for:

• legal advice out of court from a solicitor
• representation in a court or tribunal by a barrister or solicitor

You’ll usually need to show that:

• your case is eligible for legal aid
• the problem is serious
• you cannot pay for legal costs

The gov.uk website has information on who is eligible for legal aid and how to apply

Cafcass stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.

Cafcass only work with families when the courts direct them to, this is after the court has received an application from either you or the other parent/carer. They independently advise the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests. They put their needs, wishes and feelings first, making sure that children’s voices are heard at the heart of the family court setting. The CAFCASS website provides guidance and resources for parents and carers on all aspects of parenting apart, including how to create a parenting plan and providing a downloadable template. for both young people and parents who are going through family courts.

CAFCASS information for children and young people

CAFCASS have produced an online guide for both young and older children to enable them to understand what is happening and how they feel.

'Taking Me Seriously' video

CAFCASS have produced a video for children and young people involved in the family court. It features animated avatars and voices of the Family Justice Young People's Board sharing their recollections of how being involved in court proceedings made them feel. It shows how CAFCASS social workers help them understand what is happening in family proceedings, the help children will have to understand what will be recommended to the court, and we hear their positive experiences about having a voice that is heard in the process.

Separating Better is a FREE smartphone app which offers emotional and practical support to parents, guiding them through the separation process and equipping them with the skills they need to resolve conflict and co-parent effectively, in the best interests of their children.

The app contains:

• Practical tools to help with budgeting and legal arrangements.
• A parenting plan which parents can create to suit the needs of their children.
• Videos to help parents to learn healthy conflict management and communication skills.
• Evidence-based, expert articles about separation and co-parenting.

Try the app today

The app is completely FREE - so why not download it to your phone (using the buttons below) and give it a try today?

If you have a phone that runs Android, you'll want the Google Play version; or, if you have an iPhone, choose "Download on the App Store".