AdviceNow has a Sorting out Child Arrangements websie with information on sorting out child arrangements when you separate or divorce.
Also see Resolution's Parenting Through Separation.
Watch the Put Children First video for information on what children need to know when you divorce.
See Both Parents Matter for support on maintaining contact with children.
And this video about children's Security and Attachment needs.
Also see Resolution's Parenting Through Separation.
Watch the Put Children First video for information on what children need to know when you divorce.
See Both Parents Matter for support on maintaining contact with children.
And this video about children's Security and Attachment needs.
Gingerbread provides information to help single parents. It also runs programmes to equip them with the skills and opportunities to gain employment.
Family separation is stressful, but children are most affected by the conflict they witness.
High conflict raises risks for mental‑health issues, behaviour problems and academic struggles, often lasting into adulthood.
Lower conflict leads to better well-being, stronger relationships and reduced pressure on public services.
CAFCASS has lots of information and practical advice on child-related topics. They specialise in giving children a voice in the Family Courts.
You can watch this NACCC Children's Rights video about children and divorce.
This is a NACCC video on the effect of parental separation on children.
Kids Come First provides workshops for parents going through a separation.
See The Separated Parenting Programme Directory for Separated Parenting Programmes.
Building Bridges is a 17-week parenting-in-unhealthy-relationships programme that can be completed as a single person or as a family.
High conflict raises risks for mental‑health issues, behaviour problems and academic struggles, often lasting into adulthood.
Lower conflict leads to better well-being, stronger relationships and reduced pressure on public services.
CAFCASS has lots of information and practical advice on child-related topics. They specialise in giving children a voice in the Family Courts.
You can watch this NACCC Children's Rights video about children and divorce.
This is a NACCC video on the effect of parental separation on children.
Kids Come First provides workshops for parents going through a separation.
See The Separated Parenting Programme Directory for Separated Parenting Programmes.
Building Bridges is a 17-week parenting-in-unhealthy-relationships programme that can be completed as a single person or as a family.
Co‑parenting apps keep everything in one place, with shared calendars, documented messaging, expense tracking, and secure storage.
Centralising communication reduces conflict, prevents mis-understandings, and supports children by helping parents co-ordinate reliably. The structure also creates clear records and healthier boundaries.
For the most advanced separated parenting app, try the Our Family Wizard app. It combines all schedules, files, contacts and communication in one app, keeping everyone, including grandparents, family law professionals, and the children, in the loop.
Other, more affordable apps include Talking Parents, App Close, Cozi Family Organiser and 2 Houses.
To facilitate communication, you may wish to read Ashley Palmer’s Handover Book.
Centralising communication reduces conflict, prevents mis-understandings, and supports children by helping parents co-ordinate reliably. The structure also creates clear records and healthier boundaries.
For the most advanced separated parenting app, try the Our Family Wizard app. It combines all schedules, files, contacts and communication in one app, keeping everyone, including grandparents, family law professionals, and the children, in the loop.
Other, more affordable apps include Talking Parents, App Close, Cozi Family Organiser and 2 Houses.
To facilitate communication, you may wish to read Ashley Palmer’s Handover Book.
See the NACCC's Child Contact Centre directory to find an accredited contact centre near you.
See AdviceNow’s How to Apply for a Court Order about Children Arrangements.
Surrey Family Mediation adopts the highest possible standards and takes all reasonable steps to safeguard the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and prevent their abuse.
We are committed to
• Ensuring that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is always paramount.
• Maximising people’s choice, control and inclusion and protecting their human rights.
• Working in partnership with other agencies in order to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Ensuring safe and effective working practices are in place.
Definitions and Approach
In terms of these guidelines, “child, children and young people” mean those under the age of 18 as defined by The Children Act 1989. A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework. For general purposes, we are on our guard to notice anyone of any age who appears in need of protection or additional support to cope with their living environment in general or a specific situation (see below in relation to concerns about children.)
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. This may include a person who:
• is receiving a specified welfare service, namely the provision of support, assistance or advice by any person, to develop an individual’s capacity to live independently in accommodation or support their capacity to do so.
• is receiving a service or participating in an activity for people with specific needs because of their age or who have any disability.
• is an expectant or nursing mother living in residential care.
• is receives direct payments from a local authority or health and social care trust instead of social care services.
• requires assistance in the conduct of their own affairs.
Child protection and safeguarding
Child protection is usually in place to protect children who have already experienced harm, abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or have otherwise been harmed. Safeguarding is about preventing harm. In our work with clients, we will always check whether children are known to Children’s Services and seek permission to speak to them about any current involvement before proceeding with mediation. As a service, we reserve the right to breach confidentiality in the event that we have concerns about the risk of harm.
Our Responsibilities
We accept the principles laid by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and The Children Act 2004 and will:
• Take action to identify and prevent abuse from happening.
• Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
• Ensure that the procedures agreed to safeguard adults and children, children and young people are always followed.
• Understand how the diversity, beliefs, and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention, and response to safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that information is available for people who use services and that family members know what to do if they are concerned.
• Ensure that we have a DBS check in line with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Responsibilities
• Always follow the safeguarding policies and procedures, particularly if concerns arise about the safety or welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or a young person.
• Participate in safeguarding training and maintain current working knowledge.
• Discuss any concerns about the welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or young people with our PPC
• Contribute to actions required, including information sharing and attending meetings.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use services.
• Always remain alert to the possibility of abuse.
• Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.
Procedure for reporting abuse
• If we suspect a vulnerable person is being abused or is at risk of abuse, we will report concerns to our PPC and Children's or social services
• If we feel the person needs urgent medical assistance, we have a duty to call for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity.
• If we have reason to believe the vulnerable person is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
• A report must be completed where there are allegations of abuse and sent to our PPC and social services
• All service users need to be safe. Throughout the process, the service user’s needs remain paramount.
Confidentiality and information sharing
It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible to protect the individual. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner. Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where:
• A serious crime has been committed
• Where the alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse others
• Other vulnerable adults are at risk in some way
• The vulnerable adult, child, children and young person is deemed to be at serious risk
• There is a statutory requirement e.g. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Children’s Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983, Care Standards Act 2000
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual
• When a staff member of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.
We are committed to
• Ensuring that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is always paramount.
• Maximising people’s choice, control and inclusion and protecting their human rights.
• Working in partnership with other agencies in order to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Ensuring safe and effective working practices are in place.
Definitions and Approach
In terms of these guidelines, “child, children and young people” mean those under the age of 18 as defined by The Children Act 1989. A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework. For general purposes, we are on our guard to notice anyone of any age who appears in need of protection or additional support to cope with their living environment in general or a specific situation (see below in relation to concerns about children.)
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. This may include a person who:
• is receiving a specified welfare service, namely the provision of support, assistance or advice by any person, to develop an individual’s capacity to live independently in accommodation or support their capacity to do so.
• is receiving a service or participating in an activity for people with specific needs because of their age or who have any disability.
• is an expectant or nursing mother living in residential care.
• is receives direct payments from a local authority or health and social care trust instead of social care services.
• requires assistance in the conduct of their own affairs.
Child protection and safeguarding
Child protection is usually in place to protect children who have already experienced harm, abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or have otherwise been harmed. Safeguarding is about preventing harm. In our work with clients, we will always check whether children are known to Children’s Services and seek permission to speak to them about any current involvement before proceeding with mediation. As a service, we reserve the right to breach confidentiality in the event that we have concerns about the risk of harm.
Our Responsibilities
We accept the principles laid by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and The Children Act 2004 and will:
• Take action to identify and prevent abuse from happening.
• Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
• Ensure that the procedures agreed to safeguard adults and children, children and young people are always followed.
• Understand how the diversity, beliefs, and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention, and response to safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that information is available for people who use services and that family members know what to do if they are concerned.
• Ensure that we have a DBS check in line with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Responsibilities
• Always follow the safeguarding policies and procedures, particularly if concerns arise about the safety or welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or a young person.
• Participate in safeguarding training and maintain current working knowledge.
• Discuss any concerns about the welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or young people with our PPC
• Contribute to actions required, including information sharing and attending meetings.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use services.
• Always remain alert to the possibility of abuse.
• Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.
Procedure for reporting abuse
• If we suspect a vulnerable person is being abused or is at risk of abuse, we will report concerns to our PPC and Children's or social services
• If we feel the person needs urgent medical assistance, we have a duty to call for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity.
• If we have reason to believe the vulnerable person is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
• A report must be completed where there are allegations of abuse and sent to our PPC and social services
• All service users need to be safe. Throughout the process, the service user’s needs remain paramount.
Confidentiality and information sharing
It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible to protect the individual. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner. Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where:
• A serious crime has been committed
• Where the alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse others
• Other vulnerable adults are at risk in some way
• The vulnerable adult, child, children and young person is deemed to be at serious risk
• There is a statutory requirement e.g. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Children’s Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983, Care Standards Act 2000
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual
• When a staff member of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.
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