"The
process of
separation is failing millions of children and parents, across the UK. Every year, an
estimated 280,000 children, a similar number to the size of the population of Newcastle,
experience family
separation.*
It's one of the greatest, least-recognized, health risks to our
children.
The Positive Parenting Alliance is a group of organisations, and
individuals, who
believe that all children deserve the most positive experience possible during parental
separation or
divorce.
Our aim is to create a genuinely child-focussed society and better systems
to ensure the long-term wellbeing of children when parents separate."
James Hayhurst, Parents Promise Founder
*Family Solutions Group 2020
The Positive Parenting Alliance
Why
this is so
important.
For children,
whilst separation will bring inevitable feelings of loss and change, they can still thrive
if their
parents work in partnership to create the right conditions. We know that children are more
likely to
adapt with fewer problems, and less emotional distress, when parents are able to part with
compassion and
continue to work together in partnership even when they are not together.
Every year c280,000 children in the UK see their parents separate.
Family Solutions Group 2020
No 1 mental health issue for
children
The primary reason for children being referred to counselling are the effects of family
breakdown (Fegans 2020). 'Ongoing family tensions' is one of the most common presenting
issues in primary-age children who are referred for Place2Be's one-to-one counselling
(67%).
Every child
has a need to be loved by both their parents and their wider families, the right not to have
to choose
one parent over the other and to be shielded from conflict and adult conversations. They
have the right to
have both parents working together to create the conditions for them to succeed. They have
the right to be
a child.
The creation of a culture in which we all play a part in protecting children from harm,
and in helping them thrive, when parents separate.
2
Family wellbeing to become central to the conduct of government, business and all
organisations. Employers should recognise the trauma of separation in their HR policies
and provide more flexible work, and emotional support, during this period so that
children affected are properly supported and their needs considered paramount.
3
An evidence-based approach to family breakdown, fuelled by a better understanding of
the damage done to children through traumatic separations and the collection of data on
the financial and emotional costs of family breakdown, including the mental health
outcomes for adults and children involved in family law proceedings.
Make the Parents Promise
The #ParentsPromise
By signing and submitting your Parents Promise you will receive a
personalised
downloadable pdf certificate.
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For
advice on
how to separate with compassion, or if you are currently experiencing difficulties and
distress around
these issues and need further support a list of helpful organisations is below.
