Resources for separating families
There are many supportive organisations out there and we can only include a selection here. We hope it helps you on your journey.
How can Resolution help you?
We have lots of information on our website to help you understand the different options for separating – most of which avoid going to court. Start here.
If you are looking for a Resolution professional to help you, you can use our search to find a law professional near you.
To understand what it means to be a Resolution member and what our Code of Practice is, please click here.
CAFCASS and FJYPB
CAFCASS support children and young people who are going through care or adoption proceedings, or whose parents have separated and are unable to agree about future arrangements for their children. They have resources for children and adults, including a parenting plan which parents can use to note down what they’ve agreed about arrangements for their children and top tips for separated parents.
0300 456 4000
Family Mediation Council
Explains how family mediation works and includes a search facility for finding a local mediator.
Oneplusone
An online interactive parenting plan offered by One Plus One, and includes links to videos that help you to communicate better with your ex-partner
Parent Connection
Resources to help separating parents work things out for themselves. Includes the Listening Room, a live chat service, and parent forums.
Relate
Relationship advice and information for parents who are separating or have separated. Relate have a wealth of resources on their website for separating families.
0300 100 1234
Other support organisations
Advice UK
Provides a directory of advice-giving organisations.
Association for Family Therapy and Systematic Practice
Information on what’s involved in family therapy and a directory of practitioners.
Childline
Offers a free confidential helpline for children and young people, open 24 hours a day.
0800 1111
Family Lives
Support for parents who are reaching crisis point.
0808 800 2222
Gingerbread
Provides advice, practical support and campaigns for single parents. Offers factsheets and discussion forums.
0808 802 0925
gingerbread.org.uk
Home Start
Support for parents
0116 464 5940
Kinship
Provides an independent online information, advice and support hub, just for kinship carers (grandparents, uncles, aunts, older siblings, family friends etc who take on the care of children). The one place you can go for information, expert advice and support for every stage of your kinship care journey.
0300 123 7015
kinship.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation
Information on all aspects of mental health and emotional issues, including addiction and substance abuse.
MIND
Mental health charity with a range of online support and information, including an information line and a legal advice service.
0300 123 3393
Money Helper Advice Service
Information, tools and advice on money issues.
National Association of Child Contact Centres
Keep children in touch with parents following separation within a national framework of child contact centres and services.
National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)
Provides specialist information, advice, advocacy and legal representation for children and young people up to the age of 25.
0808 808 1001
NSPCC
Help and advice for adults who are worried about a child or need advice about child protection.
0808 800 5000
Only Mums and Only Dads
Two separate websites for single parents. Both provide access to Resolution member solicitors, barristers and mediators free of charge.
Parenting. Give it Time (Wales)
Free practical tips and expert advice for parenting challenges.
0808 800 2222
gov.wales/parenting-give-it-time
Reunite International (Child Abduction Centre)
UK charity specialising in international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders. They offer a telephone advice line, a mediation service and an information hub.
0116 2556 234
reunite.org/about
Rights of Women
Provides free, confidential legal advice on a range of issues including domestic abuse, family law, divorce and relationship breakdown. Free leaflets available to download from the website.
Samaritans
24-hour helpline for confidential emotional support for those experiencing despair or distress.
116123
Shelter
Practical help for families who need more in-depth help to keep their home, or to settle into a new one after being homeless.
0808 800 4444
Single Parents
Information for single parents
If you are a victim of domestic abuse
Both Parents Matter Cymru (Wales)
0333 050 6815
Galop (National LGBTQ+ helpline)
Works with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence
0800 999 5428
galop.org.uk
Live Fear Free Helpline
National Helpline for Wales and provides information, advice and support.
0808 80 10 800 Croesawir galwadau yn Gymraeg / Calls are welcomed in Welsh.
Text: 07860 077333
Email: info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
gov.wales/live-fear-free/domestic
Refuge
Offers a free 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline in partnership with Women’s Aid to provide advice and support to anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Provides safe, emergency accommodation throughout the UK. Website offers a useful help for children section.
0808 2000 247
Respect (Men’s advice line)
Support and advice for male victims of domestic violence, information for their families and for men who want to change their violent and abusive behaviour.
0808 801 0327
Welsh Women’s Aid / Cymorth i Ferched Cymru
Women’s Aid
Offers a free 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline as well as an online guide ‘The Survivors Handbook’. Children may also benefit from visiting their kids’ website ‘The Hideout’.
0808 2000 247
When a parent has an addiction
Alcoholics Anonymous
Help for people who think they have a problem with alcohol.
0845 769 7555 or 0800 917 7650
Al-Anon/Alateen
Offers hope and help to families and friends of alcoholics or young people whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking.
Families Anonymous
National helpline offers free support to anyone affected by the drug abuse of a family member. Nationwide self-help groups are available.
020 7498 4680
Gamblers Anonymous
Offers advice for compulsive gamblers and their families.
Gamanon
Organisation offering meetings for families affected by a gambling problem. Support meetings are available in most areas.
Narcotics Anonymous
Recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
0300 999 1212
Useful publications
(Almost) Anything But Family Court
by Jo O’Sullivan, £13.99
available from: familyseparation.shop
Family Court without a Lawyer (4th edn)
by Lucy Reed, £20.00
available from: bathpublishing.com
Separating with Children 101 (3rd edn)
by Rebecca Giraud and Bob Greig, £20.00 print / £9.99 digital
available from: familyseparation.shop