Supporting Children After Separation Program
What is the Supporting Children After Separation Program?
The Supporting Children After Separation Program provides support for children and young people who have experienced or are experiencing parental separation.
The program aims to help children and young people to:
- Adjust to the changes that arise from separation
- Indentify and express their feelings and thoughts about the separation
- Develop and enhance family relationship in what can be a difficult time, and
- Gain life skills and social skills that will enable them to build resilience to challenges in their lives.
For further information please phone 9263 2104
What Does the Supporting Children After Separation Program Offer?
We work with children and young people from birth to 18 years of age who have parents who are going through a separation or have already separated. Ngala will provide support for children 0 – 4 years.
The program provides:
- Age appropriate groups for children and young people and/or
- Short term individual counselling
- School program, and
- School holiday groups.
Groups for Children and Young People
Some children and young people may not want or require individual counselling and can instead take part in our group program.
These age appropriate small groups are facilitated by trained counsellors and provide emotional and psychological support for children and young people experience family separation.
The groups build on existing strengths and assist participants to develop emotional awareness and coping skills in a supportive environment. Having the opportunity to talk with others who have similar issues helps children and young people to normalise experiences, decrease feelings of isolation and increase their understanding about what is happening within their family.
School Program
Our program provides workshops for children within the school environment. These workshops are offered as one off workshops, or run over a period of a few weeks. The program can be tailored to suit the school's needs.
So as not to exclude children, the in-schools workshops do not focus on separation specifically, but rather on addressing general issues such as emotions, self esteem, grief and loss. This way the program may be incorporated as part of the curriculum framework under health and well being.
Topics covered in the school program include:
- Self esteem
- Anger management
- Conflict resolution
- Managing stress and strong emotions
- Transitions – managing change
- What about me?
Individual Counselling
We offer up to four individual sessions to children and young people accessing our service. This short term counselling provides a framework for the counsellor to work one on one with a child or young person around their feelings about their parent's separation. After the individual session, the child or young person is given the option of moving into a group program.
For further information please phone 9263 2104.
About Our Staff
Our Children's Counsellors are highly qualified, professional staff who are experienced in working with children, and have a good knowledge of the problems associated with post separation difficulties.
All staff receive regular supervision and undertake training and professional development to ensure they maintain a high level of skills and knowledge.
The team are sensitive to a diversity of family backgrounds and special needs.
For further information please phone 9263 2104
How Does the Supporting Children After Separation Program Work?
Parents who are interested in getting support for their children can phone the Supporting Children After Separation Program on Phone: 9263 2104. An appointment will then be booked for the parent to attend an appointment with a counsellor to discuss their family situation prior to their children being seen. We do contact both parents to ensure the family is receiving the appropriate support from the service.
For further information please phone 9263 2104.
Are There Any Costs Involved When Using The Service?
All services under the Supporting Children After Separation Program are free of charge.
However, Anglicare WA is a not for profit organisation and donations are gratefully received.
For further information please phone 9263 2104.
Locations
We have services available in the following locations throughout the metropolitan area:
East Perth
Joondalup
Rockingham
Gosnells
Midland
What are the Hours of Operation?
All locations are open Monday to Friday for appointments including late nights. Please speak with our Administration Officer on 9263 2104 to discuss available appointment times.
What do parents, children and young people think of our program?
Below are some comments and testimonials from parents, children and young people who have used our service:
“I thought it was my fault when mum and dad fought all the time when they had to see each other. Now I know it's not. I love both my mum and my dad and I know that's ok!”
“Before I went to see the counsellor I never knew why mum and dad broke up but Mum's explained it all to me now and although I'm sad and miss my dad it's better.”
“I don't know what you guys have done, but it's obviously working. My son has gone from being very quiet and withdrawn to being able to say how he feels and have words for this. His confidence has grown.”
“ The children have not stopped talking about you and how much fun it was all week, they can't wait to go back.”
“Even if I decided as a parent to not take them back, I wouldn't have a chance – wild horses wouldn't stop the kids from going back!”
“When mum and dad were breaking up, me and my sister used to fight and be mean to each other all the time. The counsellor helped us to be friends again.”
Useful Links
Family Relationships Online
Chatfirst
Website for children and teens whose parents have separated or divorced
Family Separation: A guide for teens
Kids Helpline
24 hour telephone and online counselling for children and young people in Australia
Stepfamilies Australia
Strengthening step families
Child Support Agency
For further information please phone 9263 2104.