The Isle of Wight has been chosen to trial a new app to support separating parents and help them secure the best possible outcomes for their children.
The new app called Separating better will enable parents to self-manage their separation, providing emotional and practical support in a single authoritative app.
It will equip parents with the emotional skills and practical information they need to put parenting arrangements in place that work in the best interests of their children.
Price: Looking for approximately 50 separated parents to take part
Debbie Price, area director for the Isle of Wight (children and families) said,
“We know how difficult a relationship breakdown can be and we are keen to hear from anyone on the Island who feel they may benefit from using the app as part of a free trial.
“We are looking for approximately 50 separated parents to take part, whether that be both parents or just one parent from the relationship breakdown.
“The app will have advice videos and information to help support you to reduce conflict and make effective co-parenting arrangements. If you are interested in taking part, please register on the website.”
Relationship experts at OnePlusOne were awarded funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Reducing Parental Conflict Challenge Fund 2 to create the app, building on its research into emotional readiness and the successful Getting it right for children course.
Glasgow: A combination of emotional and practical support
Verity Glasgow, CEO of OnePlusOne said,
“We are delighted to be working with the Isle of Wight to pilot our Separating better app. This free resource will provide parents with a combination of emotional and practical support to help them navigate the challenges of separation and develop important communication and conflict-resolution skills that are essential for effective co-parenting.
“We hope that parents will take a look at Separating better for themselves to discover how it could help them. Their valuable feedback will be used to enhance the app for others when it is launched nationally in the spring.”
Research shows that a person’s emotional readiness has a significant impact on their ability to reduce conflict and make effective co-parenting arrangements.
Bacon: Offering separated parents a tool that is available 24/7
Councillor Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for Children’s Services added,
“It is good that the Island has been chosen to trial the new Separating better app and offer separated parents a tool that is available 24/7 on their phone, which can be accessed at times that suit them.
“I hope it will help to support families to develop healthy and productive communication and to develop better ways of dealing with conflict where it arises. By enabling improved relationships between separated parents, I hope the app will help to ensure that children’s futures are supported and avoid the negative impact that can arise from conflict.”
The pilot, which launches today (Thursday 11th January 2024) is looking for 50 Island people to participate in using the app before its planned national roll out in March 2024.
How to sign-up to the app trial
For people who are interested in taking part in the trial and want to register or find out more please visit.
Once on the website landing page, users will need to click the button to download the app.
The app trial is not suitable for those in the court system or who are victims of domestic abuse.
In addition to the app trial, Island parents can also find further support, information and details of other useful courses on the Island’s family information hub website.
News shared by Isle of Wight council press office, in their own words. Ed
