Making child arrangements if you divorce or separate

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Get help and support

You can get further advice and information about:

• making child arrangements (Citizens Advice)
• legal issues, including a step-by-step guide for making child arrangements (Advice Now)

Getting support for your child

There’s advice on how to put your children first when separating, from family law service Resolution.

The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass) have guidance on listening to your child when separating .

If you’re in Wales, you can get support from Cafcass Cymru.

Information for children

You can also show your children information made especially for them, for example:

• advice for children whose parents are separating (Childline)
• a guide to how mediation works (Family Mediation Council)
• information for children with separating parents who do not agree (Cafcass)
• information for children and young people on the family court process (Cafcass)

Domestic abuse

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse or know someone who is, you can:

• report domestic abuse or find organisations that can help
• get a court to take action to protect you or your children
• get help based on your ethnicity, religion, age or disability

Find out how to recognise domestic abuse or get more help and support.

Get emotional help and support

You can contact:

• Samaritans (if you, or someone you know, is struggling to cope)
• the NHS (for information on counselling services)
• Relate (for online and in-person counselling including child and relationship counselling)

View a printable version of the whole guide