Assisting separated parents to collaboratively develop arrangements for the shared care of their children.
Fee $200 per hour
A parenting plan is an agreement that sets out the arrangements for care of dependent children. It is a written document that is signed and dated. Whilst it is not legally enforceable, if the matter comes to court, the judicial officer will consider the most recent plan when making parenting orders about the child. It covers the day-to-day responsibilities of each parent, the practical considerations of a child’s daily life, and the long-term issues relating to a child.
Matters in a parenting plan include:
- Who the child will live with
- What time the child will spend with each parent and with other people, such as grandparents
- How the parents will share parental responsibility
- How the child will communicate with a parent they do not live with, or other people
- What processes will be used to resolve any disputes about the plan or to change the plan
- Any other aspect of care, welfare or development of the child or parental responsibility for the child
One of the benefits of having a counsellor involved in the development of a parenting plan is that the psychological and developmental needs of the child can be considered and respected. Advice and assistance can also be obtained about the most effective implementation of an agreed parenting plan. This is especially beneficial when children have special needs or issues, such as separation anxiety and emotional or behavioural dysregulation.
Our aim is to assist parents to provide the best possible care for their children, to minimise stress for all concerned, and to prevent potential conflicts and disruptions to the child and parents.