Helping separated families work together to support children
Parenting Orders Programs provide a mix of individual counselling and group education programs for separated families, focusing on the needs of children.
Separated parents and carers can access these programs to learn new skills and/or to meet requirements for Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
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Access support to reduce conflict and focus on the kids
We all want what’s best for our children. But this can be particularly difficult to manage when parents are in conflict following the breakdown of their relationship.
Separation or divorce can affect all members of the family, so tailored support and education can help families work together and find solutions in the best interests of the children.
Parenting Orders Programs (POP) can help separated families to:
- manage parenting arrangements and contact arrangements
- ensure the best interest of the child is their priority
- improve communication and cooperation between parents
- recognise that the other parent may have a different parenting style
- be more aware of childrens’ emotional experiences of family separation, even when they seem to be fine on the surface
- minimise conflict and manage disputes
Our family counsellors can provide support to any and all members of a family going through a separation, including children, grandparents/carers and significant others.
Speaking to a family counsellor can help families cope with change, improve communication and work through issues together.
Parenting Orders Programs cover a range of topics and supports
POP provides a mix of individual counselling and a group education program (Our Kids) for separated families who have experienced high parental conflict over an extended period of time, or who want to a gain new skills and insights to improve the co-parenting relationship.
Our programs meet the requirements for Court Orders from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Some of the topics covered in our range of programs include:
- conflict resolution
- understanding children's needs
- self-care and self-esteem
- improving communication and cooperation
- loss and grief
- managing difficult emotions in kids
- learning how conflict affects children
Service information
Parenting Orders Programs consist of three elements:
- Individual Intake and Assessment
- ‘Our Kids’ post-separation parenting group
- Individual counselling sessions to discuss issues such as, the impact of separation, strategies to support different ways to manage and support children
One-hour assessment
Those wishing or required to complete Parenting Orders Program will need to undergo an assessment either in person, by Zoom, or over the phone to find the program best suited to their family’s needs.
Certificates of completion
A certificate of completion will be issued at the conclusion of ‘Our Kids’.
How do I access this service?
Separated or separating families (parents, grandparents, significant others and carers) can access POP by contacting one of our offices below.
Community service organisations, legal professionals and health professionals can also make referrals into this program by contacting us.
We offer POP to:
- families in the northern and western metropolitan regions of Melbourne, Geelong regions, Gippsland regions, and Bendigo regions
- families who are in conflict regarding parenting arrangements
- parents, children and family members who have Court Orders from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Fees
POP is subsidised by the Commonwealth Government Department of Social Services. Clients are asked to pay a fee for the service they receive. POP services range in cost, but concession cardholders may be eligible for a discount. Please contact us to learn more.
At CatholicCare Victoria we believe everyone should be able to access support for a better life. If you are experiencing financial hardship, we can discuss payment options for you.
More information
We take special care to ensure that separated partners will not be enrolled in the same course on the same date.
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Contact us
The Parenting Orders Program is offered at the following locations.
To make a booking or enquire about this service, please select your nearest office.
Bendigo EppingFootscrayGeelongTraralgonWarragul
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