The Supporting Separating Parents in Dispute is a pilot programme being run by CAFCASS (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service). It aims to help separating parents in dispute access information, guidance and support about the most appropriate dispute resolution pathways available to them. It is open to people living in the following postcodes : BS1-11, BS13-16, BS20, BS22-24 BS30-37, BS41. The pilot is running for 6 months from November 2014.
If you live in a pilot area, you can access the ‘Supporting separating parents in dispute’ freephone telephone based service which will discuss your situation, identify your needs and then match these to the local services which can provide advice and support. The number is 0800 380 0040 and the helpline hours are 9am -5pm.
Each parent who calls the helpline will be allocated a case worker, who will help with access to the most appropriate services and where possible, arrange appointments for parents. Wherever it is appropriate the service will encourage you to access a suitable form of dispute resolution service – referred to, under the pilots, as a local out of court pathway.
The initial telephone support will be followed-up by a further phone call, around three weeks later, to assess progress on the efforts to resolve the dispute and provide further assistance where necessary. As this is a pilot, callers may also be contacted at later points for evaluation purposes.
As this is a pilot, the telephone based service to help parents find the most suitable local service depending on their needs, is only available in the following areas.
You can find out more about the pilot here.