Relationship support

Healthy relationships is a group-based programme within our family hubs which aims to support parents with their relationship and communication skills, managing conflict better, managing stress and exploring the impact of ongoing conflict upon children.

Call your local family hub to find out more about taking part in this course or call in.

We have also created an online self-help video that you can complete in your own time.

Are you a parent going through separation?

If you’re currently separating from the mother or father of your child, Separating Better is a mobile app from OnePlusOne that offers expert emotional advice and practical tips for separating parents, all with the child's wellbeing in mind. Download it via the Apple store or download it via the Google Play Store.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCAS) – if you need representation in court as part of your separation, CAFCAS represent the interests of children and young people in family court cases in England. They independently advise the family courts about what is safe for children and in their best interests. You can call on 0300 456 4000 or fill in a contact form.

The NSPCC website has a range of advice and support available for helping children and young people deal with divorce or separation.

Relate’s tools are here to help you handle problems with your partner or co-parent.  

• Relate Bot – Relate Bot provides excellent co-parenting advice and practical support and online resources
• ‘In-the-middle’ Bot – this shows you how your child might be feeling when you are in conflict with your partner/ex and might help you make some better decisions which put your child first.
• Sounding-board Bot – this helps co-parents write texts and emails to each other to help you communicate better.

If you, or someone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, confidential information is available from national 24 hour domestic abuse helpline. Call free on 0808 2000 247.

In an emergency always dial 999.

• Domestic abuse is any incident or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality
• 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men will suffer domestic abuse at some point in their lives
• A victim will be assaulted on average 35 times before they call the police
• There is a domestic abuse incident reported to the police every minute, yet less than 35% of domestic abuse is reported
• On average, 2 women every week are killed by a partner or ex-partner and domestic abuse is a factor in 1 in 4 suicide attempts by women
• Domestic abuse often starts or intensifies during pregnancy and is one of the main causes of miscarriage
• In 90% of domestic abuse cases, children are in the same or next room and often get hurt too

Once you decide to leave

The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you're not alone and it's not your fault.

Before you go, try to get advice from an organisation such as:

• Women's Aid or Refuge for women
• Men's Advice Line for men
• Galop for LGBTQI+

The first step in escaping an abusive situation is realising that you're not alone and it's not your fault.

Before you go, try to get advice from an organisation such as:

• Women's Aid or Refuge for women
• Men's Advice Line for men
• Galop for LGBTQI+