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Separated Parents Information Programme 

 Information for Professionals

The final provisions of the Children and Adoption Act 2006 came into force on 8 December 2008. This provided courts with new powers to promote and monitor contact, and enforce contact orders made under section 8 of the Children Act 1989.

PIP is a Court ordered contact activity designed to alert parents who are going through the divorce and separation process of how their actions could impact upon their children. It is also designed to help reduce the conflict that the children may see or hear.

 Please refer to Section 11A-P (Children Act 1989) for further information

Is designed to help parents understand the impact of ongoing parental conflict on their children and to provide advice and support about how to reduce it. The course aims to enable parents to take steps towards their own solutions. PIP is usually delivered to mixed groups of applicants and respondents in two, two hour sessions or one four hour session. The whole course must be attended.

A PIP might be appropriate when

Parents have lost sight of their children’s needs due to ongoing conflict. Where parents find that their feelings and reactions to the separation are affecting their ability to communicate about their children.

As a preparation for mediation

Where there are no safeguarding concerns about children or parents.

The Course

The divorce and separation process – parents are encouraged to think in a solution focused way about their situation.

What children need – parents watch a powerful DVD made by young people which follows a separating family over a period of six months.

Parent communication – parents are also asked to discuss a prepared scenario and to look at it from the perspective of the mother, father and child.

Emotions – finally parents look at the emotional impact of divorce & separation and options moving forward.

Feedback

The provider reports back attendance only and does not make assessment of parties’ responses. Some providers also feedback an evaluation form completed by parents at the end of the programme.

Costs

The programme is free to parents.

Participation

Courts now have the power to direct or order parents to attend Contact Activities that are aimed at promoting safe contact with children. The parents can be ordered to attend a mediation information meeting, a parenting information programme (PIP) or a domestic violence perpetrator programme. Cafcass will assess for suitability for the course, likewise Solicitors can also make recommendations to the Court.

Once an order has been made the referral process is as follows:

 Referrer to contact Rebecca Banks or Sophia Yip  at NRS to notify her of the referral.

Referrer to send copies of the court order to NRS.

NRS to contact the parents to arrange seperate, convenient sessions on the next available course. Parents are required to attend 2 sessions of 2 hours on consecutive weeks.

NRS will write to each party to confirm course dates, times and travel information.

We hope you have found this information leaflet helpful.  Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to call Rebecca Banks or Sophia Yip on 0121 454 1004 or email contactpip@rebecca.banks.co.uk

NRS (PIP)
(HEAD OFFICE)
7 George Road
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 1NP

Tel:  0121 454 1004
Fax: 0121 410 6998

www.parentinginformationprogramme.com