Child Inclusive Practice
What is the role of Child Consultants?
Child Consultants facilitate the inclusion of children and young people post-separation and as part of the family dispute resolution process by meeting with them to enable the meaningful and safe inclusion of their voice. Our Child Consultants are additionally nationally registered Psychologists with expertise in working with children, young people and families. They have extensive knowledge of the emotional needs of children and young people during separation. Our Psychologist Child Consultants will help you to focus on and support your child(ren) through family separation. We pride ourselves on being ‘The Child Inclusive Experts’ in our conflict management and resolution work with families in dispute.
Child Inclusive Practice
Child Consultants provide feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences and needs to support their parenting and decision making. In mediation they work alongside the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, to formulate developmentally appropriate post-separation parenting agreements, including arrangements for their children. We undertake careful assessment to determine whether Child Inclusive Practice is a safe and appropriate option for the child/ren involved.
Child Inclusive Practice in High Conflict Situations
Our Psychologist Child Consultants provide high-quality services to families experiencing post-separation conflict. This is facilitated by supporting parents’ reflective capacities, that encourages recovery and growth within separated family relationships. Research on the impact of separation on children has shown that ongoing parental conflict can result in negative psychological consequences for children. Use of Child Inclusive Practices can positively shape post-separation co parenting and enhance children’s adjustment to separation.
Our Child Inclusive Process
Referral for Child Inclusive Practice can occur before or during the mediation process or when concerns for child(rens) adjustment to separation are raised.
If Child Sessions are assessed to be appropriate both parents in Family Dispute Resolution will also speak with the Psychologist Child Consultant.
Following a meeting with each parent, the Psychologist Child Consultant meets with the child, or in the case of sibling groups, children may be seen at the same time and or individually.
Parents are provided with feedback around how their child(ren) are coping with the separation. Parents are supported to assist their child manage identified difficulties. Parents are assisted with appropriate referrals to services where relevant.
Feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences are used in the mediation process to assist parents make decisions in the best interest of their child.
Communication between the Psychologist Child Consultant and the child is confidential. Our practitioner-clinicans will assess the overall wellbeing of your child(ren) and provide feedback to support parenting and decision making. Confidentiality cannot be maintained however if a Duty of Care Issue arises.
Our Mediation process
Child consultants provide feedback to parents regarding their child’s experiences and needs to support their parenting and decision making. In mediation they work alongside the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, to formulate developmentally appropriate post-separation parenting agreements, including arrangements for their children. We undertake careful assessment to determine whether Child Inclusive Mediation is a safe and appropriate option for the child/ren involved.
Our team of mediators can help you resolve family and financial matters; assist with parenting plans; offer child inclusive mediations and issue s60i certificates.
Our team of Child Consultants can work with your child/children to ensure their voice is heard during mediation.
Psychologists who can provide nurturing counselling support to your child; give parenting support and advice; assist with conflict.
Our team, of mediators, child consultants and psychologists, work closely together to help people going through separation and divorce feel supported, involved and informed.
