Separating Well: The Power of Child-Focused Parenting Programmes

3rd December 2025

Separation can be one of the most challenging times in a family’s life, but it doesn’t have to define your children’s future. For parents going through separation, structured separated parenting programmes offer an invaluable resource, providing a supportive environment to help you keep your child’s needs firmly at the centre of your decisions.

These programmes are typically designed to help separating parents understand the emotional impact of separation and conflict on children. They equip you with the skills to communicate more effectively and manage difficulties, focusing on encouraging a child-centred approach to post-separation parenting.

Why Parents Value These Programmes

The effectiveness of these courses is powerfully demonstrated by the parents who attend them. A major survey conducted over a two-year period, gathering feedback from 1,956 parents who attended the Separated Parents Information Programme, offers compelling evidence for the value of this type of co-parenting support.

The core message from these parents is clear: structured programmes are helpful, impactful, and should be accessed sooner.

Source Note: This data is taken from a survey of 1,956 responses from parents attending the Separated Parents Information Programme (SPIP) over a two-year period, as delivered by two organisations.

The Key Takeaways for Separated Parents

These statistics highlight several insights that apply to all separated parenting programmes:

• Exceptional Helpfulness: With a near-unanimous 97% finding the course helpful, these programmes provide practical, tangible tools that parents can immediately apply to their unique situation. For almost 80% of respondents, the help was classed as ‘Extremely’ or ‘Very’ helpful.
• The Child’s Perspective is Central: The primary goal of these programmes is to help parents to focus on what their children need, and parents clearly recognise the value in achieving this. 86% believe attending the course will have a positive impact on their child, demonstrating an increased understanding of their child’s needs and emotional world post-separation.
• The Power of Early Intervention: Perhaps the most compelling piece of feedback is that 71% of parents wished they had attended the course earlier in their separation journey. This strongly suggests that seeking support through a structured parenting programme early on can prevent conflict from escalating and minimise the negative effects on children. Don’t wait until conflict is entrenched.
• A Highly Recommended Resource: A staggering 94% of attendees said they would be likely to recommend the programme. This level of endorsement from those who have been through the experience makes parenting programmes a trusted first port of call for those separated parents.

Moving Forward, Together

Separation is a journey, not a destination, and a separated parenting programme provides an essential foundation for a positive, reduced-conflict co-parenting relationship. The message from the thousands of parents who have completed such courses is overwhelmingly positive: Invest in your child’s future by investing in the skills you gain from professional parenting support.

If you are a separating parent, consider the feedback of those who’ve walked this path before you. Attending a quality separated parenting programme sooner rather than later can make a profound difference to your child’s well-being and your own peace of mind.

Written by: Denise Ingamells, Family Mediation Council Accredited Mediator and Author of the Separated Parents Information Programme