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Separated Parents Information Programme
Fosters Mediation has recently been awarded the contract to provide Separated Parents Information Programmes to Court users primarily in Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. The Separated Parents Information Programme or 'PIP' as it is commonly called is an information programme which has been designed by an organistation called CAFCASS to be used where an application has been issued at Court in respect of a child. For example, an application for contact, residence, or parental responsibility.
The Court has the power to make an order directing the parties involved in the Court proceedings to attend a PIP. If the Court makes such an order and you fail to attend a PIP you could be held to be in contempt of Court which could result in a fine and/or imprisonment, in extreme cases.
The programme is designed to help parents learn more about the challenges of post-separation parenting, including the effects on children of ongoing conflict. It also aims to provide advice and support about how best to help children in this situation, and seeks to enable parents to take steps towards their own solutions. Most parents who go on the course say that they find it very helpful.
The programme is designed to be delivered in two, two-hour sessions or one four-hour session so that it minimises the disruption to your everyday life but at the same time, provides you with as much information, advice and support as possible to help you to prioritise your childrens' needs, wishes and feelings post-separation.
It is important to know that if you are directed to attend a PIP, separated parents do not go on the same course.
Fosters Mediation will be running its first courses on the following dates, with more dates to be added in the near future:
Bury St Edmunds
The Active Business Centre, St Andrew's Castle, 33 St Andrew's Street, Bury St Edmunds:
Wednesday 25th January 20129:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
15:00 - 19:30 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 26th January 2012
11:00 - 13:00 (part 2)
Wednesday 8th February 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 15th February 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Monday 12th March 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 21st March 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 4th April 2012
15:00 - 19:30 (part 1 & part 2)
Ipswich
Felaw Maltings, 44 Felaw Street, Ipswich:
Thursday 5th January 201215:00 - 19:30 (part 1 & part 2)
Tuesday 10th January 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Saturday 14th January 2012
10:00 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 18th January 2012
15:00 19:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Friday 27th January 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Tuesday 7th February 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Saturday 18th February 2012
10:00 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Wednesday 22th February 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
Friday 9th March 2012
15:00 - 19:30 (part 1 & part 2)
Monday 19th March 2012
9:30 - 14:00 (part 1 & part 2)
- The programme is for groups comprising a mix of Mums and Dads and Applicants and Respondents. You will not be in the same group as your former partner.
- We do our very best to ensure that we meet all individual requirements.
- If it is difficult ofr you to manage any of the programme dates or if you have a particular concern or special need please call us on 0800 011 3149 and we will work out a solution.
Please also feel free to download the PIP Factsheet or indeed any of the following factsheets which have been produced by CAFCASS to assist separated parents and their children:
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is CAFCASS?
CAFCASS stands for Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service.
CAFCASS is independent of the courts, social services, education and health authorities and all similar agencies.
The role of CAFCASS is to:
- safeguard and promote the welfare of children
- give advice to the family courts
- make provision for children to be represented
- provide information, advice and support to children and their families.
- CAFCASS champions the interests of children involved in family proceedings, advising the family courts in England on what it considers to be in the best interests of individual children.
CAFCASS’ professionally qualified social work staff, called Family Court Advisers (FCAs), work exclusively in the family courts. Examples of matters that may be decided by family courts are:
- When children are subject to an application for care or supervision proceedings by social services (public law).
- An adoption application (public law).
- When parents who are separating or divorcing can’t agree on arrangements for their children (private law).
The Mediation Team
Solicitor
Solicitor