Helping your children through it all.

Splitting up? Living Apart? Divorcing? Separating?
Do you want to know how to help your children through it all?

A Parenting Apart Information Session is an opportunity for you to learn how you and your children can move forward positively. You will gain insight into what you and your family are going through and how to handle the transition to living apart in a way that’s best for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sessions are there and how long do they last?
This can be flexible. Parents generally attend between one and three hours, usually split over two or three appointments.

Will other parents be at the session?
In the Borders, we mostly offer one-to-one sessions but group sessions can be arranged.

Will I meet my ex-partner at the session?
Parents who have separated generally would attend separately but they can attend together, if they wish.

Where will the sessions take place?
We can offer appointments throughout the Borders and will try to be as flexible as possible.

Is this service available to single parents?
Yes, single parents are welcome to attend. The sessions focus on the separation process and coping with the parental responsibilities and difficulties of living apart. It particularly looks at how children might respond and how to communicate effectively with the other parent.

Will I have to talk about my situation?
There will be opportunities for you to share how you are managing living apart from your child’s other parent. It is up to you what or how much you say.

Who leads the sessions?
Parenting Apart sessions are generally run by our Family Support Worker but sometimes one of our experienced family mediators may be involved. The content and structure of the sessions have been developed by Relationships Scotland with input from many trusted sources including similar initiatives in other countries.

Can I not get the information I need from books and the web?
There is a lot of good information out there, but these sessions will be specifically tailored to suit your situation and needs and it gives you the opportunity to ask questions.

When is the right time to attend?
You can come along to a Parenting Apart session at any stage – before, during or a long time after your separation. Any time that you think it would help you to find out how to improve the situation for you and your children.

How does Parenting Apart compare with mediation and Family Support?
A Parenting Apart Information Session is an opportunity for you to learn how you and your children can move forward positively. You will gain insight into what you and your family are going through and how to handle the transition to living apart in a way that’s best for everyone.

Our Family Support service usually offers different types of support to individual family members, including children. This support is sometimes practical and sometimes emotional or a mixture of both. Parenting Apart can be provided as part of the family support we offer.

In mediation, you and your child’s other parent meet with a mediator to talk about your situation and agree how you want to move forward. Many parents find that after attending a Parenting Apart session they have a better understanding of what their children need and they can then work out their plans for the future better with the other parent in mediation.

What does it cost?
There is no charge to attend a Parenting Apart session. The Scottish Government currently supports this service through a Strategic Funding Partnership Grant but contributions to the service you receive are always appreciated. Please see our Fees and Contributions page.

Do I need to make any preparations or bring anything with me?
No, just come along willing to listen and we’ll provide the rest.

After I’ve been to a Parenting Apart session, what other help is available?
The pack that you get at the session includes suggestions for sources of further help. You may want to ask about our other services which include Family Mediation, Family Support, Child consultation and Separation Counselling.

I don’t see my children at all at the moment. Can I still come to the session?
Yes, you will almost certainly hear something useful.

Can my child attend with me?
Parenting Apart sessions have been developed for adults. Children can be supported more effectively in other ways and we would be happy to discuss this with you.