Child Support Agency is there to help when parents separate
The Child Support Agency (CSA) and the Kids Helpline are working to help children who are affected when their parents separate.
CSA Ballina team leader, Ms Bronwyn Saunders, said: “It’s important to consider the issues and feelings children may be experiencing when their parents break up, and we encourage parents and children to seek help if and when they need it.
“While more separated parents are working together for the benefit of their children, they can still experience a range of emotions like grief, loss and depression and their children may be suffering too.”
There are around 445,000 teenagers whose parents are registered with the CSA, with an additional 11,000 teenagers affected by family separation in Australia every year.
Kids Helpline General Manager Wendy Protheroe said the most common issues children call to talk about is family relationships, particularly conflict and separation.
“Last year we undertook almost 9000 counselling sessions about family relationships and almost three-quarters of those related to frequent or major family conflict and family breakdown, separation or divorce,” Ms Protheroe said.
“Many parents don’t realise even minor conflict can be harmful to their children, so it’s important for families to be aware of the range of support services available.”
Ms Saunders said family separation is a common experience in Australia and it was important for parents to put the well-being of their children first.
“I encourage separated parents to learn about the many resources available to not only help them, but to also help their children,” she said.
Ms Saunders said the booklet Family Separation – a guide for teens – offers great advice for teens about how to cope with their changing situation and it contains a list of contacts they can approach for support. The information is also available at www.youth.csa.gov.au
The booklet and website were developed in consultation with more than 20 stakeholders and community organisations including Kids Helpline, beyondblue and Relationships Australia.
“The guide helps teenagers to identify their rights and it contains a list of contacts teens can approach for help,” Ms Saunders said.
Kids Helpline, Australia’s only national children’s counselling service, provides 24-hour counselling services to young people aged 5 to 25 years – free call 1800 55 1800 or online at www.kidshelp.com.au
