WHAT IS A CHILD CONSULTATION/CHILD INCLSUIVE PRACTICE (CIP)?
Where deemed appropriate by a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and a Child Consultant, and with the consent of both parents, a Family Dispute Resolution process may include CIP. This is where an experienced Child Consultant can meet with a child/ren in a safe and child friendly environment to discuss any issues the child/ren might have regarding the separation. CIP provides an opportunity for children to talk independently with a trained Child Consultant in a supportive and comfortable environment. Our Child Consultants create an environment which most children find therapeutic. Pending the child/ren's consent, the Consultant may then share feedback with the parents, as well as making recommendations, within the FDR process.
HOW IS CIP USEFUL?
CIP is beneficial for both parents and their children.
Children are given an opportunity to have their voices heard, and to explore their feelings about their parents’ separation and related topics with an experienced and impartial counsellor. Children can find this to be a therapeutic and releasing process, easing their distress as they feel heard and considered.
CIP is also designed to enhance collaboration between parents as it steers parents away from negotiating as ex-partners and moves them towards co-operating as parents who have heard their child/ren’s perspectives. The feedback from the Child Consultant can be used as a guide and reference point throughout the FDR process, ensuring that children’s best interests are at the forefront of all decisions and assisting parents to navigate their discussions.
WHAT CAN A CHILD EXPECT FROM CIP?
During their session, of approximately 1 hour, children have the opportunity to discuss how they are feeling about the separation and other related concerns, with an impartial counsellor. The Child Consultant facilitates a conversation with the child, using age appropriate tools, and encourages them to talk about the separation, domestic arrangements and other related topics. The Child Consultant is impartial, non judgmental, and is not suggestive in any way.
The purpose of the session is to gain insights into how the child is feeling and provide an environment in which they can comfortably express themselves. No child is ever forced, nor are they ever placed in a decision-making role. Children are generally seen one on one so that they are not influenced in any way. The appointment is held in our Norwest office.
WHAT CAN PARENTS EXPECT FROM CIP?
The Child Consultant then provides parents with feedback from the child/ren’s session and offers recommendations to the parents. Many parents report gaining insight into how to move forward once hearing the feedback. The Child Consultant will meet with the parents either individually, together or a combination of both to provide the feedback. Your FDRP will also be present during this session. The extent of the feedback is largely dependant upon the child/ren’s consent regarding what can be disclosed to parents. The feedback sessions are generally scheduled for 1 hour per child.Child Consultants are not able to make decisions for the parents. Rather, it is envisaged that the parents will use the feedback to assist them in their own decision-making process. FDR practitioners are also able to aid parents to use the feedback in subsequent FDR sessions. Written reports of the child/ren’s session/s will not be provided. The feedback session is inadmissible in any ensuing court proceedings.
WHAT INFORMATION FROM THE CONSULTATION WILL YOU RECEIVE?
The child consultant, with the consent of your child, will feedback all relevant information from the consultation. Th child consultant
has a duty of confidentiality to the child and will only provide feedback to parents with the child’s consent. It sometimes happens that the child does not give consent for any feedback to given. In these cases, while the child's wishes must be respected, the Child Consultant is able to give general feedback, as well as discuss why your child may have refused consent.
However, as in mediation, the child consultant is obliged to breach this duty of confidentiality in order to: protect a child; prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of a person the property of a person; to report an offence or prevent the likelihood of an offence involving violence, or a threat of violence to a person; or intentional damage or a threat of damage to property
OUR CHILD CONSULTANTS
Choice Mediations' Child Consultants are highly experienced practitioners who hold tertiary qualifications in psychology, counselling and/or social work. Further to this, all of our Child Consultants have post graduate qualifications in working with children and their families in a post separation context.
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