Learn how to parent together while living apart.
Short courses and sessions on all aspects of family life after separation. Guided by our trained staff, these sessions are a chance to learn from other parents dealing with how to successfully navigate parenting after separation.
What is Parenting Apart?
Parenting Apart is a group that helps you to understand how you and your children can move forward positively following separation or divorce.
You will gain insight into what you and your family are going through and how to handle the journey to living apart in a way that’s best for everyone.
Who is this suitable for?
Any adults dealing with a breakdown of a relationship.
- You can attend this service at any time throughout your parenting and/or separating journey : before, during or after your separation.
- Many parents find it helpful to attend this service before starting preparation for our Family Connections Services – where we bring children together with their non-resident parent.
- You can attend even if you don’t see your child. You may learn or hear something useful.
- Parenting Apart sessions are only for parents, children cannot attend these group sessions.
What to expect
Parenting Apart is one session that lasts for 3 hours.
- This can be done in groups of mums and dads
- Your child’s other parent will be offered the chance to attend a separate session to you
- We can also arrange 1-2-1 sessions
- We offer two group sessions every month, with one during the day and one in the evening, to give you the chance to choose the group that fits best with your schedule.
- There will be lots of opportunities for discussion and for parents to share how they are managing living apart from their child’s other parent.
- It is entirely up to you what or how much you say. Everyone who attends is asked to treat the session as confidential.
The group focuses on the separation process, how children might respond and how to communicate effectively with the other parent. You can decide whether this would be helpful for you.
How much does it cost?
Due to the financial supports of our funders and friends of Family Journeys, we are at times able to offer free or reduced fees for some of our services. Please contact us for further information.
Please note that no family will be excluded from service for financial reasons.
Fees
Parenting Apart 3-hour In person and Online workshop:
£45 per parent, per session
Booking in for a Parenting Apart Workshop
If you would like to book in for one of our workshops, please Contact us and let us know which workshop you would like to attend either online or in person at our Gorgie site. See below for our next upcoming workshop dates.
| IN PERSON | ONLINE |
| 26th August 2025 10:00am-13:00pm 28th October 2025 10:00am- 13:00pm | 27th August 2025 17:30pm-19:30pm 29th October 2025 17:30pm- 19:30pm |
Refer yourself or someone else
Complete the referral form if you or someone you know would like to access our services
We offer this service at 3 locations
Family Journeys
The Playrooms,
519 Gorgie Road,
Edinburgh,
EH11 3AJ
Family Journeys at The Fisherrow Centre
Fisherrow Centre,
South Street, Musselburgh,
East Lothian,
EH21 6AT
Family Journeys at Linbar House
48 North Bridge Street,
Bathgate
West Lothian,
EH48 4PP
How Parenting Apart has helped previous participants
Our Parenting Apart course has helped attendees in key support areas such as:
- Understanding their child’s emotional and psychological response to the separation
- Learning how best to support their child
- Understanding and minimising conflict with their ex-partner
- Learning new ways of communicating and co-parenting.
Feeback from participants shows how the Parenting Apart course helps you navigate through this difficult time:
- All participants reported that they had found the course helpful and informative.
- All participants fed back that this was the ‘first kind of group’ they had participated in.
- All participants acknowledged feeling apprehensive about taking part. But in the end found it ‘supportive and not really intimidating’.
- All participants felt that it would ‘help them moving forward’ in supporting their children and ‘improving communication’ with their ex-partner.
- All participants communicated that they felt an increased understanding that not all children will respond in, or feel, the same way and the importance of recognising their individual needs.
One father who was noticeably emotional during the session asked to stay on post -group. He had found the session very thought provoking and broke down, explaining it was the “first time he felt understood and able to share his story”.
“It’s helped me to see things from a different point of view”
Parent
“The conflict ladder made a lot of sense to me and I’ll use it to stop things getting so heated with my ex.”
Parent
“I didn’t know there were co-parenting apps until now and I’ll definitely be trying some of them out.”
Parent
“The section on how children of different ages show how they feel through anger was what’s happening with my kids, and I would like some more information on this.”
Parent
Fees
As a small organisation, our capacity to provide prompt and comprehensive support is only possible by charging for the important service we offer.
We aim to charge a fair and reasonable hourly professional rate which is inclusive of direct staff costs and overheads.
To explore whether you may be entitled to Legal Aid, please contact Citizens Advice for additional assistance.
Affordability and accessibility are important to us and therefore we welcome confidential payment discussions for those families who are not entitled to Legal Aid Funding.
Please note that no family will be excluded from service for financial reasons.
FAQs
Will I have to see my ex-partner?
- No. If you do not feel comfortable seeing another parent/carer Family Journeys will stagger Family Connections arrival and departure times to ensure everyone feels safe, and their needs are respected. Within our mediation services we can offer shuttle mediation, either in person or online. This involves parents/carers being in different rooms and the mediator moving between. If you are attending our Parenting Apart programme, you will not be put in the same group as another family member (unless expressly requested).
Am I allowed to take photographs?
- As an organisation promoting positive relationships, capturing special moments is a normal aspect of nurturing positive connections. Please note however, this may be subject to certain conditions if a court order explicitly prohibits photographs, if there are child protection concerns or identified risks or if the child does not consent to having their photograph taken, their wishes will be respected. Prioritising the safety and consent of all parties involved is paramount.
Will there always be a staff member in playroom with my child?
- During supervised Family Connection sessions, a staff member will ALWAYS be present with your child. During supported Family Connection sessions, a staff member will be available for when a child or parent/family member may need them, and they will offer regular check ins to see if all is going well in the playroom.
Can I wait at Family Journeys whilst my child sees my ex-partner?
- Yes of course. We have relaxing parent/carer rooms for you to wait whilst your child is enjoying time in the playrooms. This can help you and your child feel more at ease in the early sessions. However, you may also wish to spend some time away from the venue and this is encouraged once your child feels comfortable coming to Family Journeys. Staff will always call you if your child needs you to return.
My court order was issued last month, why can’t I start immediately?
- At Family Journeys, we understand this is a stressful period for all, especially the child. We don’t want to delay but sometimes it takes a while to find a vacant slot in our venues that suits both you and your child. We also want to give your child and family every chance of success when coming to Family Journeys, therefore it is important that we start after a period of preparation. This preparation period will travel at the pace of the child and support everyone to get the most out of their time playing together in the hope of independent co-parenting solutions.
How long will it take after the intake meeting for contact to start?
- This is difficult to answer because it depends on your child’s readiness to meet. Sometimes we support the child with an extended preparation or involve the child in our All About Me service if they are struggling. Normally we would hope your first play session would be no longer than a month after your initial meeting with staff, but sometimes it can take longer.
I worry I can’t afford this. What can I do?
- If you are in receipt of benefits or earn below a certain threshold, you may be entitled to Scottish Legal Aid. You will need a solicitor to access these funds. If you are not entitled to Scottish Legal Aid and feel you will struggle to meet the costs, please get in touch with us directly to discuss how we can work out a payment plan that is affordable.
If I go on holiday, will I get into trouble?
- No. We will communicate this information to your ex-partner and solicitors, if applicable, and arrange a catch-up session where possible. The key here is being honest and planning ahead.
I can’t find a legal aid solicitor, what do I do?
- Although Family Journeys cannot specifically suggest a particular solicitor, we can provide you with a list of Scottish Legal Aid solicitors who you can contact.
My solicitor told me that they are no longer doing Legal Aid work. What do I do?
- Let Family Journeys know ASAP. It is possible the child’s other parent may be able to cover costs short term through their own legal aid. Family Journeys can help communicate this with your permission. It may be important for you to find another solicitor to represent you. During this period, we will not stop your child’s Family Connections time.
I am worried my ex-partner will find out where I live if they ask the children. Can you control what is said during a session?
- During supervised Family Connections sessions, our staff will be present to ensure you, and your children, are safe. Any leading questions thought to expose a restricted address will be stopped.
How can I access my child’s or my notes?
- You can acquire all notes retained on our information management system regarding yourself and/or the child you have legal rights and responsibilities for through a subject access request.
What happens if a parent or guardian arrives under the influence of substances?
- Family Journeys are unable to do any drug testing, but we do visual checks and monitor the persons behaviour. If staff detect that a person is under the influence or cannot look after the child, family time will be stopped. Family Journeys are an inclusive organisation, if a family is impacted by substance use Family Journeys can support to find appropriate solutions with the individual and family.
Resources
There are many resources and organisations available to offer support.