Sometimes when parents are in mediation and are making decisions about their children, it can be helpful for all concerned (parents, children and the mediator), to understand and take into account the children’s views. Often it may be difficult for the child to express themselves directly to one or both the parents.
With both parent’s permission and if the child wishes, he or she will meet with the mediator, who will talk to them about a specific issue or their more general views about what is happening and their hopes for the future.
The mediator then feeds back to the parents what the child would like them to hear.
The parents remain the decision makers, but are able to take the children’s views into account when making important plans about their future.
This is a child focused service enabling a child to talk to an experienced Child Counsellor in a confidential setting.
The child is able to talk about their own issues, primarily surrounding the breakdown of their parents’ relationship but other issues can also be discussed.
The service is aimed at children aged between 5 to 15.
There are usually 4 sessions but further sessions can be arranged where appropriate.
Child advocacy is offered where the parents are in mediation and the child is receiving counselling from one of our child counsellors.
The child is invited or requests to have their voice heard in the mediation sessions but without saying things themselves directly to the parents.
The child and counsellor will discuss what the child wishes to say.
The counsellor will attend a mediation session and represent the child by expressing his/her views. The counsellor does not expand upon this or give further clarification from their own perspective.
The mediator will be present and will run this feedback session. Thereafter, the mediator and the child’s parents continue to discuss children’s issues bearing in mind what their child has said via the child counsellor.
Living Solo helps clients to focus on and to plan for their future after divorce or separation. The course deals with legal and financial issues and includes social and emotional needs. The aim of the course is to help clients to move on.
The Parenting Apart course aims to help parents to maintain a cooperative parenting relationship after separation or divorce. Children cope better when parents are able to work together. The course covers the emotional impact of separation on children, and how to separate as partners, yet still work together as parents.
There are three sessions in each course.
Parenting Apart follows Living Solo but the two courses are available separately