Separation is never easy on the children

Most research suggests that children can get through the divorce of their parents as long as the actual quality of parenting is good and they have strong relationships with each parent. But this does not mean that children do not go through difficulties. Indeed, it serves to underline the need for support for all parties. However, according to the Centre for Separated Families, only one in three parents affected by separation receives any form of professional advice, while what they do receive can more often be legal rather than emotional guidance.

Specialist organisations are working to address this challenge. One Plus One recently teamed up with Lancashire County Council to address deficiencies in the authority's provision of parent-related support. Among the gaps identified was a lack of specific support for children and young people at the centre of a parental conflict. The response was to put in place a county-wide strategy, which involved training selected staff on these issues to the point where they can train other professionals too. These trainers received ongoing support upon returning to their settings and have since been able to pass on good practice among colleagues in order to reach out to more families undergoing a separation or divorce.