Co-Parenting with Care

Co-parenting with Care is designed to help separated or separating parents develop the skills, understanding, and communication strategies needed to support their children’s wellbeing. The aim is to reduce conflict, improve cooperation, and create a stable, positive environment for children across both households.

Key purposes include:

1. Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing

Helps parents understand how separation and conflict affect children.
Encourages parenting approaches that promote security, consistency, and resilience.

2. Strengthening Communication Between Parents

Teaches practical communication techniques that reduce tension and misunderstandings.
Focuses on respectful, child-focused interactions rather than reliving past relationship issues.

3. Reducing Conflict

Provides tools for managing disagreements calmly and constructively.
Helps parents recognise triggers and patterns that can lead to conflict.

4. Creating Effective Parenting Plans

Guides parents in making shared decisions about routines, boundaries, and responsibilities.
Encourages predictable structures across households to support children’s sense of stability.

5. Encouraging Positive Co-Parenting Relationships

Builds awareness of different parenting styles and how to collaborate despite differences.
Reinforces the importance of both parents’ roles in the child’s development.

6. Promoting Healthy, Long-Term Family Dynamics

Supports parents to move forward from past relationship issues.
Helps families transition into a cooperative, future-focused parenting partnership.

Additional Resources

1. Parenting and Co-Parenting Support

Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP) – Helps parents understand conflict and children’s needs.

Cafcass Parenting Plan – A free, detailed template for creating consistent arrangements.

OnePlusOne “Getting It Right for Children” – Online course to help reduce parental conflict.

2. Communication & Conflict Reduction Tools

Family communication apps (e.g., Cozi, OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) for schedules and shared updates.

Non-violent communication (NVC) tools to support calm, respectful conversations.

Conflict resolution guides that teach step-by-step problem-solving for co-parents.

3. Child Wellbeing and Development

NSPCC resources on child safety, emotions, and behaviour.

YoungMinds – Guidance on children’s mental health and how parents can support them.

Place2Be – Emotional wellbeing support for children in education settings.

4. Domestic Abuse and Safety Support

(Useful when risk assessments identify concerns)

Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Respect Men’s Advice Line

Women’s Aid support services

Local authority safeguarding teams for high-risk situations

Provider Qualifications

BA Honors in Social Work

Safeguarding Measures

1. Safe Recruitment and Training of Staff

All staff and facilitators hold current Enhanced DBS checks.
Mandatory safeguarding training completed before delivering any sessions.
Regular refresher training on child protection, domestic abuse, and professional boundaries.
Clear code of conduct signed by all team members.

2. Risk Assessment and Screening

Initial risk assessments completed before course enrolment to identify domestic abuse, coercive control, or high-conflict risks.
Individual consultations offered when joint attendance is not safe.
Decisions about joint or separate sessions based on professional judgement and risk indicators.

3. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Confidentiality explained clearly at the start of the course, including its limits.
Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis and in line with statutory guidance.
Immediate reporting of any concerns about a child’s safety, welfare, or exposure to harm.

4. Safe Course Environment

Ground rules established at the start of every session (respect, no intimidation, appropriate language).
Facilitators intervene promptly if conflict escalates.
Parents may be placed in separate groups or online breakout rooms if needed.

5. Responding to Safeguarding Concerns

Any disclosure or concern is recorded promptly and accurately using secure systems.
Concerns are reported to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) without delay.
Escalation to children’s services, the police, or other agencies when required under safeguarding legislation.

6. Protecting Victims of Domestic Abuse

Attendance paths adapted to ensure safety (e.g., separate sessions or signposting to specialist support).
Safety planning and referral to domestic abuse services where appropriate.
Clear stance that the course is not mediation and not suitable for unsafe situations.

7. Data Protection and Secure Record Keeping

All records stored in compliance with GDPR and organisational data policies.
Limited access to safeguarding files and secure digital storage systems.
Written consent obtained for sharing information unless safety concerns override consent.

8. Child-Focused Practice

Course materials emphasise the child’s voice, rights, and wellbeing.
Facilitators challenge any behaviours or statements that minimise harm to children.
Parents guided to prioritise safety, consistency, and emotional stability for their children.

9. Continuous Monitoring of Safety

Ongoing assessment throughout the course to identify new or emerging risks.
Session evaluations monitored for potential safeguarding issues.
Option for parents to speak privately with facilitators before or after sessions.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDING NOTICE FOR ALL PROGRAMMES

If you or your child are at risk of harm, this program may not be suitable for your situation. If you have urgent child protection concerns or feel you are in immediate danger, please seek help from the appropriate services:

Police (999 in an emergency)
Social Services (your local authority)
Domestic Abuse Helpline (UK: 0808 2000 247)
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (UK: 0808 800 5000)
For immediate safety concerns, please seek professional support as soon as possible.

Providers Qualifications
BA Honors in Social Work