SEPARATED PARENTS INFORMATION PROGRAMME [PIP]

The programme is designed to help parents learn more about the challenges of post-separation parenting, including the effects on children of ongoing conflict. It also aims to provide advice and support about how best to help children in this situation and seeks to enable parents to take steps towards their own solutions. Most parents who go on the course say they find it very helpful.

The aims are to:

• Make parents more aware of the effect of separation on the child.
• Make it clear that continuing conflict, specifically over contact, is not in the best interests of the child.
• Give options and ideas about how to change things for the better by improving communication skills and promoting workable solutions.

With an overall aim of making contact a more positive experience for the child.

Attendance on a PIP:

Can only be ordered by a Magistrate or Family Judge working with contact issues and we are unable to offer courses direct to parents. [Other Orders may be for parents to attend a mediation information meeting or a domestic violence perpetrator programme]. Once we have parents’ contact details we will arrange convenient dates for attendance.

The programme consists of eight modules and covers:

• The divorce and separation process.
• What children need.
• Parent communication.
• Emotions.

It is usually delivered to:

Mixed groups of applicants [parents applying for contact with their children] and respondents [parents responding to an application for contact] in two, two-hour sessions or one four-hour session. Participants must be there for the whole course. Anything discussed in the course is treated as confidential.

Separated couples do not go on the same course but it is important that both parents go on a course.

A PIP might be appropriate for parents [or other parties, such as grandparents] when:

• they may have difficulty focusing on their children’s needs due to ongoing conflict; and/or.
• they find their feelings and reactions to the separation are affecting their ability to communicate about their children; and/or
• they are preparing for mediation; and
• there are no safeguarding concerns about children or parents.

Feedback

We will report back to CAFCASS or the Court about participants’ attendance but not about their responses to the various parts of the programme. We may seek parents’ feedback through an evaluation form.

PIPS are free of charge to everyone who has been referred to us.