COURSES TO ASSIST FOLLOWING SEPARATION
Following separation, parties are often interested in, or may be ordered by a court to, participate in various courses to assist in their co parenting relationship and their parenting of children following separation. Below are some of the options with respect to those courses.
Each of the courses below are offered by various services throughout the country. You might like to do some research (ie google) to find which service provider best suits your needs.
Circle of Security
Circle of Security is a framework developed upon attachment theory and the importance of building resilient children; that is, children with a strong sense of emotional security. To assist parents to understand the relationship between child and parent and the importance of the child having strong attachments and in doing so, a road map is provided to help create emotionally secure children.
It is said that children with secure attachments to their parental figure have increased empathy and self esteem, are able to develop better relationships and have an increased ability to regulate their emotions.
Circle of Security programs are offered by practitioners in private practice and such services as Centacare and Relationship’s Australia.
Protective Behaviours
Is a program that teaches children, parents and carers about the skills children can develop in order to protect themselves from the risk of abuse.
Parents can participate in these programs and learn certain protective measures that can then be passed on to the child. Alternatively, the child can be directly involved in these courses.
Protective Behaviours courses are offered throughout the country by many not-for-profit organisations and government services
Parenting Orders Program
The Parenting Orders Program, or “POP” is a program designed to assist parents in developing their co parenting relationship after separation.
Relationship Australia Queensland, says that the POP aims to assist separated parents to:
- Focus on the needs of their children;
- Give their children optimum support, care and guidance that they need as they adapt to their parents’ separation and to find ways to cope with any parental conflict;
- Better understand their role in co-parenting arrangements;
- Recognise the responsibilities which both parents have to their children and their responsibility to work together as best they can for their children’s care, welfare and development;
- Improve their communications;
- Avoid or reduce conflict regarding their co-parenting; andThe program emphasises the rights children have to be parented by both their mother and father (or same sex parents) and the benefits that children gain from being cared for by both of their parents.
POP programs are available throughout the country both in person and online.
Triple P
Triple P or the “Positive Parenting Program” was developed some 35 years ago in Queensland but is now used all around the world to assist separating parents with having confidence and skills to be the best parent possible. It does not specifically apply to those parents who have separated, it has application for all parents!
It is a skill-based course that will assist parents in raising happy, healthy and well rounded children and young adults.
Triple P international says Triple P gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behaviour and prevent problems developing.
Triple P programs are offered both online and in person throughout the country.
About The Author
orlenamoloney
Parent.Wife.Lawyer. A little bit of common senses goes a long way in family law. I would like to think that along with that common sense I bring empathy and pragmatism to the table. I started my career in 2002 with the NSW Attorney General’s department providing legal information to those in rural and remote parts of New South Wales. Most of the work related to family law. I never realised, at the time, that that job would be the start of my family law career. It seemed to be a natural progression from there. I commenced practice in a small family law firm on the Gold Coast in 2004 and have continued to work in this field since that time. My work has covered all facets of family law matters from legal aid to high net worth clients and from simple parenting matters to complex corporate and trust structures. That common sense comes in handy no matter what type of matter you have. Over the last 14 years I have developed a strong network of professionals who are able to assist my clients in various aspects of their lives whilst they go through the family law process. That network allows for a holistic approach to dealing with family law matters. This way of practicing lead me to train as a Collaborative Lawyer where community and common goals are a specific feature of assisting clients resolve all aspects of their family law matter. In 2016, I was one of two Queensland, and the only Gold Coast lawyer’s named as a Rising Star in the Doyle’s Guide. In 2017, I was named in the Gold Coast list as a Recommended Family Lawyer. I am particularly passionate about parenting matters. My practice involves various levels of parenting matters including international child abduction and relocation, matters involving physical and sexual abuse as well as matters involving Domestic Violence and drug abuse. In saying that, I also enjoy assisting families with resolving their property settlement matters and preparing and advising on Financial Agreements. In 2017, our common desire to resolve family law matters in a family and business focused manner, led Dan Bottrell, Kate Graham and I to commence BGM Family Lawyers. Our combined talents and focus areas mean that clients have the benefit of our three minds, each of whom has a different focus, being able to provide guidance on your matter.