Separating Well for Children (SWP)

What do One Family offer Separated Families?

SWP is a voluntary, centre-based service focused on children’s needs during the process of two parent’s separation and in the time following separation. It aims to prevent children being negatively impacted by parental separation, and to support families where conflict and domestic violence is impacting on children’s wellbeing.

The ultimate aim of the SWP is to promote children’s well-being when their parents are separating. It is an integrated service providing direct interventions, support and case management for adults and children, with the aim of preventing escalating or entrenched conflict, and safeguarding concerns in the family, and ultimately promote children’s wellbeing.

The service is outlined in terms of responses to two core target groups:

  1. Separation where conflict is challenging or may impact on shared parenting.
  2. Separation where there is ongoing domestic violence and regular child contact with both parents.

Who is it for?

SWP is for parents who are separating or have separated, and their children who require support to establish post-separation arrangements that reflect the children’s own needs. Both parents are asked to engage with the service and following initial assessment children may also be supported through the service.

How is it delivered?

SWP is comprised of a menu of direct intervention options which are tailored to the needs of each family, as well as family support work that encompasses a wider system of multiagency supports. SWP is comprised of two streams of support that are tailored to meet family’s differing needs: separating where interparental conflict is challenging; separating alongside domestic violence (current or historic).

What outcomes SWP is trying to achieve:

The main aim of SWP is to achieve the best possible outcomes for children of separated families, limiting the impact of parental conflict, and ensuring children’s needs are met at all stages during and after separation. There are also intended outcomes for parents, given that supporting parents to reduce conflict or promote their safety is anticipated to support better outcomes for children.