What happens to children when parents split up?

In our fifth episode, Alma-Constance and Lucinda take a look at the difficult situation of when parents split up. Alma-Constance talks to  Charlotte Bradley, who is a partner and Head of  the Family Law department in a firm of solicitors called Kingsley Napley. Charlotte is also a mediator and has helped  many families sort out their problems and campaigned for the voices of children to be heard  when family relationships break down. She also has personal experience of a divorce herself  and explains how children can be helped through the legal process.

Alma -Constance  asks her why lawyers get involved and whether families always  have to go to court. She asks how the opinions of children are heard and who can help  children if they need to make decisions about living or seeing their parents.
 
Charlotte tells us that children can often feel caught in the middle of the  arguments between their parents. She says that it is  important if the child can't tell their parents how they feel that the child finds an adult they trust,  for example  a teacher,  to speak to.  Children should ask if they can speak to a therapist or a counsellor as many schools provide counselling for children precisely to support them through such difficult times.

There are also organisations that can help:

Childline -  a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. You can  speak to a counsellor every day from 7.30am - 3:30am on weekdays and 9am - 3.30am on weekends. Call free on 0800 1111, or use their 121 chat service 

NSPCC - helpline Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm and 9am – 6pm at the weekend. Call   0808 800 5000

Alma-Constance and Lucinda would love to hear from you! 

Tell us what you think of our episode, and if you've got any questions,  ideas about a topic or someone you'd like us to interview,  please  contact us through the website, kidslaw.info  or on social media  on Twitter @KidsLawInfo, Facebook and Instagram @KidsLawInfo 

You can also email us: kidslaw@spark21.org

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