A new course and set of resources to help separating couples prioritise their children’s needs has been launched by Cafcass on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. 

About Cafcass 

Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) is the organisation that protects the rights of children involved in family disputes and court proceedings. The new programme, named ‘Planning Together for Children’, is designed to address the significant emotional and mental health risks children face during high-conflict separations and lengthy family court proceedings. 

The Need for the Programme 

Cafcass highlights that children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health can deteriorate significantly during parental separation, especially when there is a high level of conflict. Anxiety and uncertainty caused by prolonged court proceedings can exacerbate this, leading to long-term damage to children’s wellbeing. 

The New Programme: Planning Together for Children 

‘Planning Together for Children’ replaces the Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP). It combines e-learning, group work, and online support for parents involved in family court proceedings. The new programme aims to encourage parents to communicate and work together to agree on parenting arrangements without additional court hearings. It also helps them understand how their conflicts can impact their children’s wellbeing and development. 

Structure of the Programme 

1. Self-Directed E-Learning Modules: These modules cover topics such as what happens if parents go to court, managing emotions, and viewing situations from a child’s perspective. 

1. Group Workshop: This workshop encourages parents to discuss and extend their learning from the e-learning modules, focusing on the impact of conflict on children and positive communication strategies. 

1. Online Parenting Plan: This supplementary plan helps parents make agreements about their co-parenting relationship and arrangements for their children. It can be shared with the children to help them understand the new arrangements. 

Accessibility and Referrals 

The programme is available for families in private law family court proceedings. Courts can order participation, or a Cafcass Family Court Adviser can refer parents at any stage of the proceedings, provided there is no known risk of harm to the children. Unlike the SPIP, which was a one-off four-hour course, Planning Together for Children offers a comprehensive, multi-stage approach. 

Impact and Objectives 

Cafcass Chief Executive, Jacky Tiotto, explained that the programme aims to help parents separate amicably, reduce the time families spend in court, and lower the number of families returning to court. The ultimate goal is to ensure arrangements are made in the best interests of the children, allowing them to feel secure and not blame themselves for the separation.