Essential Guide to Co-Parenting Classes in the UK: What to Expect and How They Help

Co-parenting classes are structured courses that teach separated or divorcing parents how to communicate effectively, reduce conflict and protect their children from the emotional harm that parental disputes can cause. In England, the most widely used programme is Planning Together for Children, run by Cafcass on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. Around 24,000 parents are referred to co-parenting classes each year through the family courts. Whether court-ordered or taken voluntarily, these courses provide practical tools to help both parents shift their focus from the difficulties of separation to what matters most: raising healthy, confident children.

What Are Co-Parenting Classes and Who Are They For?

Co-parenting classes are educational programmes designed to help parents who are living apart work together for the benefit of their children. They cover communication skills, conflict management, the emotional impact of separation on children and how to create a workable parenting plan. In the UK, these classes are primarily aimed at parents involved in private law family court proceedings, but many of the skills taught are valuable for anyone navigating shared parenting — including those who have chosen to co-parent from the start rather than as a result of separation.

The Cafcass Planning Together for Children programme, which replaced the earlier Separated Parents Information Programme in 2023, combines self-directed e-learning, a group workshop with up to six other parents and an interactive online parenting plan. The course is free for court-referred parents, delivered by Action for Children and its partner organisations, and available across England. Co-parenting classes like this one are designed to reduce the time families spend in court and lower the number of parents returning for further hearings.

What Do You Learn in Co-Parenting Classes?

Co-parenting classes cover a range of practical and emotional topics. The core curriculum typically includes understanding the emotional effects of divorce on both parents and children, recognising signs of stress and anxiety in your child, learning how disagreements between parents can damage a child’s wellbeing, developing conflict resolution strategies that prioritise the child’s needs, improving communication with your co-parent and creating a structured parenting plan that covers living arrangements, schooling, holidays and healthcare decisions.

The group workshop element allows parents to learn from others in similar situations. You will never be placed in the same group as your co-parent. Discussions are facilitated by trained professionals and cover topics such as how to look at the situation from your child’s perspective, how to manage your own emotions during difficult conversations and how to establish boundaries that protect your children from being caught in the middle. For parents exploring co-parenting arrangements through platforms like CoParents.co.uk — a co-parenting and sperm donation network with over 150,000 users since 2008 — co-parenting classes can provide a strong foundation for building a healthy parenting partnership from day one.

How Do Co-Parenting Classes Help Parents?

The benefits of these programmes for parents are well documented. Research consistently shows that structured co-parenting education reduces hostility between separated parents, improves communication and helps parents put their children’s needs ahead of their own grievances. Specific benefits include learning practical communication techniques for difficult conversations, understanding why children need a strong bond with both parents, developing the ability to manage emotions without escalating conflict, accepting personal responsibility and reducing blame, and working out a co-parenting plan that serves the whole family.

Parents who complete the programme are significantly less likely to return to court for further disputes. The Cafcass programme specifically aims to encourage parents to reach agreement without additional court hearings, which saves time, money and emotional energy for everyone involved. If you are considering a co-parenting arrangement — whether after separation or as a planned family structure — investing time in a structured parenting course early can prevent many common pitfalls.

How Do Co-Parenting Classes Help Children?

Children are often the most affected by parental separation. When parents are in conflict, children can experience anxiety, depression, behavioural problems, low self-esteem and difficulties at school. The Cafcass programme was specifically co-designed with children and young people from the Family Justice Young People’s Board, reflecting their direct input on what they need from separating parents.

Co-parenting classes help children by reducing the level of conflict they are exposed to, reassuring them that both parents still love them, helping parents create a stable and predictable routine across two homes, strengthening children’s coping mechanisms during a period of significant change and reducing the risk of long-term behavioural problems including substance misuse, truancy and poor academic performance. Studies show that 65% of children’s adjustment problems following divorce are linked to ongoing parental conflict rather than the separation itself. By equipping parents with the skills to manage their relationship constructively, these programmes directly protect children’s emotional wellbeing.

Are Co-Parenting Classes Mandatory in the UK?

Co-parenting classes can be ordered by a family court judge or recommended by a Cafcass Family Court Adviser. If the court directs you to attend, you are legally required to complete the programme. Failure to attend may result in the court reordering it and expecting compliance. However, the programme is not automatically mandatory for every separating couple — a court or Cafcass officer will assess whether the programme is suitable based on the specific circumstances of your case, including any safeguarding concerns.

Outside the court system, these courses are not currently available through Cafcass on a self-referral basis, although the online parenting plan tool (Our Child’s Plan) is available to anyone for free. Private providers and family mediation services also offer co-parenting courses that do not require a court referral. If you and your co-parent are working out arrangements amicably, a voluntary co-parenting class or mediation session can still be extremely valuable in setting clear expectations and preventing future disagreements.

Where Can You Find Co-Parenting Classes and Support?

If you are involved in family court proceedings in England, Cafcass will arrange your referral to Planning Together for Children. The course is delivered online, making it accessible from anywhere. For parents not in court proceedings, options include family mediation services (which can be found through your local family court or online directories), private co-parenting courses and relationship charities such as Relate and Family Lives.

If you are building a co-parenting arrangement from scratch rather than navigating a separation, platforms like CoParents.co.uk provide guidance, community forums and resources to help you establish a strong co-parenting relationship. The skills taught in co-parenting education — clear communication, shared decision-making, emotional regulation and child-focused planning — are just as relevant for intentional co-parents as they are for those adjusting after divorce.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are co-parenting classes free in the UK?

If you are referred to Planning Together for Children through the family court or by a Cafcass officer, there is no charge. The programme is funded by Cafcass on behalf of the Ministry of Justice. Private courses and mediation sessions may involve fees ranging from £100 to £500 depending on the provider and the number of sessions.

Can I take co-parenting classes without going to court?

The Cafcass programme is currently only available through the court system or with agreement from a Cafcass officer. However, the Our Child’s Plan online parenting tool is available to anyone for free. Private co-parenting courses, family mediation and relationship support services are also available without a court referral. Co-parenting classes taken voluntarily can demonstrate good faith if proceedings arise later.

How long do co-parenting classes take to complete?

The Cafcass Planning Together for Children programme has three stages: a two-hour self-directed e-learning module (to be completed within 10 days), a two-and-a-half-hour group workshop and an ongoing online parenting plan. Most parents complete the first two stages within 3 to 4 weeks of their referral.

Do both parents have to attend co-parenting classes?

If both parents are ordered or referred by the court, both must attend. However, you will never be placed in the same group session as your co-parent. Each parent completes the co-parenting classes separately, which allows them to engage openly without the pressure of being in the same room as their ex-partner.