Penns Primary School
Letter from Councillor Ian Ward
Cruse Bereavement Care
Telephone: 0121 687 8010
Website: www.cruse.org.uk, http://www.crusebirmingham.co.uk/
Free National Helpline: 0808 808 1677 (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am-5pm; Tuesday and Thursday- 9am-8pm; Saturday and Sunday – 12-5pm)
Email: support@crusebirmingham.co.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care offer confidential counselling and support groups for adults and children, by telephone, email or face-to-face.
Edward’s Trust
Telephone: 0121 454 1705
Website: https://edwardstrust.org.uk/
Email: admin@edwardstrust.org.uk.
Edward’s Trust provides holistic family bereavement services supporting children, young people and parents across the West Midlands.
Grief Encounter
Tel: 0808 802 0111
Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
On-line bereavement support for young people, parents & professionals
Email: contact@griefencounter.org.uk
Grief Encounter offer support for bereaved children and families to address difficult issues such as death and we help make sense of the hurt and confusion. Services include: Confidential helpline, family programmes, specialist resources and e-counselling services
We’ve all been through a tough time with Covid-19 and repeated lockdowns. For many families it has just been getting harder, which is why we’re here to help. Here are some of our partners’ most used services and support, which might make life a little bit easier…
Resources for parents
yesfutures.org/resources-for-parents
How to build resilience and emotional health in children
https://app.pelorous.com/media_manager/public/209/Resources/How%20to%20build%20resilience%20and%20emotional%20health%20in%20children.pdf
Parentkind
https://www.parentkind.org.uk/Parents/Handy-resources-and-links-for-parents
HOW TO HELP CHILDREN DEAL WITH DIVORCE OR SEPARATION
Separation may involve bad feelings between the parents and their families. Children can pick up on this, which may make them confused or unhappy – or even blame themselves for a break-up.
To support children during a separation and help them with their worries, you should:
- remind them that they're loved by both parents
- be honest when talking about it but keep in mind the child's age and understanding
- avoid blame and don't share any negative feelings the adults have about each other
- keep up routines such as going to school and specific meal times
- let them know they can talk about their feelings with you – explain that it's okay to be sad, confused or angry
- listen more than you speak – answering questions will help them to open up.
There are lots of ways to make it a bit less painful when talking to children about divorce or any other difficult subject. We’ve got more advice for parents in our guide for talking about difficult topics.
Childline
Sometimes children find it hard to talk to someone in the family about their parents separating. Remind them they can always contact Childline by phoning 0800 1111 or having a 1-2-1 chat online.
Who has parental responsibility?
In general, mothers automatically have parental responsibility for their child from birth.
Fathers usually have parental responsibility for the child if they were married to the child's mother and/or are listed on the child's birth certificate.
If both partners have parental responsibility, then both are responsible for the child's wellbeing until he or she reaches adulthood at age 18.
Learn more about parental rights and responsibilities on the UK Government website.
How to agree on child contact
Children tend to do best when they have contact with both parents. And they have the right to maintain contact with both, unless it's not in their best interest.
There are 3 ways for deciding who a child lives with and how visits will work.
How courts decide on child contact
Every child and set of circumstances is different. But in every situation, the child's welfare must be put first. When deciding on contact and residence, the courts focus on a number of key factors, such as:
- the wishes and feelings of the child
- any harm or risk of harm
- the child's physical, emotional and educational needs
- the likely effect of any change in the child's circumstances
- the child's age, sex, background and characteristics
- the ability of each parent to meet the child's needs.
Other organisations you can talk to
We can't provide legal advice but the Coram Children's Legal Centre offers free information and advice on all aspects of the law relating to young people. Coram's helpful Contact factsheet (PDF) addresses common questions about contact arrangements.
You can also get help from the following organisations.
- Families Need Fathers champions the child's relationship with both parents during and after family separation.
- Gingerbread provides support for single parents in England, Wales and Northern Ireland with factsheets offering practical advice on issues such as money, separation, housing and work. One Parent Families provides this service in Scotland.
- Relate provides family counselling and advice on understanding children's feelings and behaviours during separation.
- Family Lives (England and Wales), Children 1st Scotland and Parenting Northern Ireland all provide professional, non-judgemental advice to all family members to help achieve the best for everyone.
- Family Law Advice Centre gives advice to families in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and offers support with associated financial or child arrangement issues.
- The Scottish Child Law Centre gives legal advice for and about children and are working in partnership with Parentline Scotland.
- Citizens Advice can give advice to parents if their relationship breaks down and can give information on child maintenance services.