FMC Relationship Services

The Supporting Children after Separation Program is a federally funded service to provide help and support to children whose parents are separating or divorcing.

The program offers a range of services to assist children to understand and manage the changes in their family relationships, both during and after separation of their parents.

Program Objectives

• Assist children from separated families to deal with issues arising from breakdown in their parent's relationship
• Ensure children and young people are able to participate in decisions that impact on them
• Support children/young people within the context of their family to manage and enhance their relationship during and after separation

Desired outcomes

• To increase the children's/young people's ability to trust and form healthy adult relationships
• To decrease distress and minimize challenging behaviors
• To assist children to understand and manage their feelings
• To reduce self blaming and feeling responsible for stopping the conflict between their parents
• To learn and practice communication and problem solving strategies

What does the program provide?

The Supporting Children program offers a range of services on a case by case basis, ranging from:

• Child /Adolescent Counselling/Therapy
• Child Inclusive Practice
• Education/therapy groups:

1. "Where's My Teddy" group for primary school age
2. "Door to Door " group for teenagers
3. "Information /support" program for parents

• School based skills education program (both primary and secondary school) providing training and skills sessions in the following:

1. Building and maintaining healthy relationships
2. Communication and conflict resolution skills
3. Dealing with grief and loss


Integrated programs

The Supporting Children Program includes links with several of our other services:

• Family Dispute Resolution
• Parent/adolescent Mediation
• Post Separation Parenting Program
• Men and Family Relationships Counselling
• Financial Counselling

Families across Melbourne will be able to access the program through the Family Mediation Centre's branches in Moorabbin, Ringwood, Broadmeadows, Moonee Ponds, Chadstone, Narre Warren, and Frankston