SWFS Child & Family Support Programme

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The SWFS Child & Family Support Programme is our bespoke version of the Cafcass Improving Child and Family Arrangements (ICFA) service. It is designed to replicate the support available to some families working with Cafcass, offering a structured and child-focused approach to resolving family arrangements.

The programme aims to help parents work collaboratively with a Caseworker over a 12-week period to:

• Overcome barriers to effective co-parenting

• Agree safe, beneficial, and sustainable arrangements for spending time with their children

• Explore parenting plans and improve parental communication

Who is the service for?

This service is intended for families involved in private law proceedings (typically, but not exclusively). It is accessible to any family where both parents agree to participate. The programme is privately funded and can be delivered in various formats to suit individual needs.

SWFS Standard Programme

• Weeks 1–2:  

We explore the family’s history, identify barriers, and set shared goals for the programme. An initial report is provided at the end of week 2 outlining the agreed focus and structure for the remaining sessions.

• Weeks 3–12:  

Weekly sessions include:

⁠◦ A Separated Parents Course

⁠◦ Online meetings via Teams

⁠◦ Mediation-style sessions

⁠◦ Child-focused sessions to ensure arrangements are led by the child’s needs

At the end of the 12 weeks, a comprehensive final report is produced, including summaries from family time sessions. This report can be shared with professionals supporting the family and with the court, if required.

Flexible Delivery

Variations of the standard programme are always available to best meet the needs of each family. Please contact us to discuss your circumstances in more detail.