Parenting Co-ordination

Separation can be one of the most challenging experiences a family will face. While parenting orders and parenting plans provide a framework for future arrangements, they cannot anticipate every disagreement or day-to-day decision that arises as children grow and family circumstances change.

Parenting Co-ordination provides parents with ongoing support to manage these challenges in a practical, child focused and respectful way. Rather than returning to Court each time a disagreement arises, parents are supported to work through issues, improve communication and make decisions that are in the best interests of their children.

My approach to Parenting Co-ordination is informed by more than 18 years' experience working with families experiencing separation, high conflict and complex parenting matters. Drawing on a strong social science foundation, together with extensive experience in family therapy, mediation and child focused practice, I work with parents to better understand the family dynamics that contribute to ongoing conflict, while supporting practical and lasting solutions.

Parenting Co-ordination is not about deciding who is right or wrong. It is about helping parents move beyond ongoing conflict, improve their ability to communicate, and develop healthier ways of making parenting decisions that keep their children's needs at the centre. While disagreements may still arise from time to time, the goal is to reduce their impact on children and help parents manage future issues with greater confidence and less conflict.

Is Parenting Co-ordination Right for Your Family?

Parenting Co-ordination is designed for parents who continue to experience difficulties managing parenting arrangements following separation or divorce. It is particularly helpful where conflict remains ongoing despite Parenting Plans or Court Orders being in place, or where parents find themselves returning to the same disagreements time and time again.

Many parents discover that while Court Orders provide a framework for parenting arrangements, they cannot address every situation that arises as children grow and family circumstances change. Decisions still need to be made about school, health, extracurricular activities, communication, changeovers and the many unexpected situations that are simply part of raising children.

Court Orders provide the structure, but they do not parent children, parents do.

Parenting Co-ordination provides a supportive and structured process where parents can work through these issues with the assistance of an impartial professional. Rather than focusing solely on resolving the immediate disagreement, I work with parents to better understand the communication patterns, family dynamics and ongoing difficulties contributing to conflict. Together, we develop practical strategies that support better decision making, healthier communication and more effective co-parenting over time.

The focus is always on reducing the impact of parental conflict on children. As parents gain greater confidence in communicating and resolving issues together, they often become less reliant on ongoing professional involvement and better equipped to manage future challenges independently.

My Approach to Parenting Co-ordination

No two families are the same, which is why my approach to Parenting Co-ordination is tailored to the unique circumstances of each family. While Parenting Plans and Court Orders provide an important framework for parenting arrangements, they cannot anticipate every situation that arises as children grow and family circumstances change. Parents still need to communicate, make decisions and work together in the best interests of their children.

My role is to remain impartial while assisting parents to work through parenting issues, improve communication and develop practical solutions that support their children's ongoing needs. I do not take sides or determine who is right or wrong. Instead, I help parents better understand the issues contributing to conflict and work towards practical outcomes that can be implemented with confidence.

Where appropriate, I also provide education about children's developmental needs, the impact of ongoing parental conflict and strategies that can assist parents in making child focused decisions together.

Parenting Co-ordination is most effective when discussions occur within appointments rather than through lengthy email exchanges. This allows concerns to be explored fully, misunderstandings to be clarified and practical solutions to be developed in a respectful and supportive environment.

The goal is not simply to resolve today's disagreement. It is to help parents develop the confidence, communication skills and understanding needed to manage future parenting decisions more effectively, reducing the need for ongoing conflict and, where possible, future Court involvement.

How Can Parenting Co-ordination Help?

Parenting Co-ordination is designed to support families in reducing ongoing conflict and creating more positive and effective ways of working together after separation. While every family's circumstances are different, the process can assist parents to:

• improve communication and reduce misunderstandings

• manage disagreements before they escalate into ongoing conflict

• better understand the impact parental conflict can have on children

• make child focused decisions with greater confidence

• clarify the practical implementation of Parenting Plans and Court Orders

• develop strategies for resolving future parenting issues independently

• reduce the need for repeated Court applications by addressing concerns early and constructively

• strengthen co-parenting relationships while maintaining appropriate boundaries

• create a more settled and predictable environment for children

• reduce the stress and emotional impact that ongoing parental conflict can have on the whole family.

How Does Parenting Co-ordination Begin?

Parenting Co-ordination may be recommended by the Court, legal representatives or other professionals involved with your family. It may also be entered into voluntarily where both parents recognise they would benefit from additional support in managing ongoing parenting arrangements.

The process usually begins with an initial independent appointment for each parent to discuss your family's circumstances, identify the issues requiring attention and determine whether Parenting Co-ordination is the most appropriate pathway for your family. Prior to your first appointment, each parent will be asked to complete a confidential client information form and review the Parenting Co-ordination Agreement, which outlines the process, professional boundaries, confidentiality and each participant's responsibilities. This helps ensure everyone has a clear understanding of the process before Parenting Co-ordination commences.

Once Parenting Co-ordination commences, appointments are scheduled according to the needs of the family. The focus remains on helping parents address parenting issues as they arise, while encouraging respectful communication, practical problem solving and decision making that supports the best interests of their children.