HandoverhubFree help
Free help directory for separated parents
Free services for the good and the hard parts of parenting apart, mostly in England and Wales. Handoverhub isn't connected to any of them. Details checked October 2026.
Want the bigger picture first? Read our guide to free help for separated parents, or browse all guides.
- Urgent help now
- Worried about a child
- Domestic abuse
- Separation & co-parenting
- Family court & legal help
- Money & child maintenance
- Your wellbeing
- Housing
- Going to court?
Urgent help now
If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999. If you can't speak, call 999 and press 55 when prompted on a mobile.
NHS 111
Urgent medical help or advice that isn't an emergency, 24 hours.
Samaritans
Free, 24/7, for anyone struggling to cope.
Shout
Free 24/7 text support if you're struggling.
Worried about a child
You don't need to be sure before you get advice.
NSPCC Helpline
Advice for adults worried about a child's safety or wellbeing.
Childline
Free, confidential help for children and young people, by phone or online.
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
Advice for parents worried about a child's mental health.
Coram Child Law Advice
Free legal information on family law and children (England), weekdays.
Domestic abuse
Abuse can be physical, emotional, financial or controlling behaviour. Help is free and confidential.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
Free, 24/7 support for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Men's Advice Line
Support for men experiencing domestic abuse.
Galop
Support for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse.
Respect Phoneline
Confidential help for people worried about their own behaviour towards a partner.
Rights of Women
Free family law advice for women in England & Wales.
Separation & co-parenting
Support for the everyday side of parenting apart.
Coram Family Lives
Free helpline and chat on any parenting or family issue, including separation.
Both Parents Matter (formerly Families Need Fathers)
Helpline and local groups for parents and grandparents after separation.
Gingerbread
Online information, forum and local groups for single parents. (Its phone helpline closed on 1 April 2025.)
Relate
Relationship and family counselling, including for separated parents (often low-cost).
Family Mediation Council
Find an accredited mediator. You may get up to £500 towards mediation through the government voucher scheme while funding lasts.
Family court & legal help
England & Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems.
Check if you can get legal aid
Legal aid for family cases is usually only available with evidence of domestic abuse or child protection concerns.
Civil Legal Advice
The government's free legal advice line, if you're eligible for legal aid.
Support Through Court
Free practical help if you're representing yourself: forms, how court works, and someone to come with you. Doesn't give legal advice.
Advicenow
Plain-English guides to going to family court without a lawyer.
Cafcass
Advises the family court about children's welfare. Their site explains what to expect.
Advocate
Free help from volunteer barristers (usually needs a referral from an advice agency).
Money & child maintenance
Free, impartial help. Be wary of anyone charging for the same thing.
Get help arranging child maintenance (GOV.UK)
Official GOV.UK help to choose between arranging child maintenance yourselves (a family-based arrangement) or using the Child Maintenance Service.
Citizens Advice
Free advice on money, benefits, housing, debt and legal problems (England line).
MoneyHelper
Free government-backed money and pensions guidance, including after separation.
Your wellbeing
Separation is hard. Looking after yourself helps your children too.
Mind Infoline
Mental health information and where to get support.
CALM
Support for anyone who's struggling or having thoughts of suicide, 5pm to midnight.
NHS Talking Therapies
Free NHS therapy for anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself.
Housing
Shelter
Free housing advice, including if you have to leave home.
Going to family court? The basics
Try to agree first. Before applying to court about child arrangements you usually have to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). There are exemptions, for example where there's domestic abuse.
Mediation can be part-funded. The government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme can pay up to £500 towards mediation about children, while funding lasts. Ask the mediator.
You can represent yourself. Many parents do. Support Through Court and Advicenow can help you prepare. Legal aid is limited, so check eligibility early.
Cafcass may be involved. A Cafcass officer may speak to both parents (and sometimes the children) and advise the court on what is best for the children.
Using your Handoverhub record. Export your record (More › Export court-ready record) and give it to your solicitor, or to the court if asked. It shows what was said and agreed, with fingerprints proving nothing was changed. The court decides what weight to give it, and your own messages are in it too, so keep them calm and child-focused.