Socio legal intervention program for families experiencing high conflict separation: building co parenting skills

Every year, directors of youth protection (DYPs) intervene with children whose safety and development are compromised because of a high‑conflict separation between their parents.

When these conflicts become intense and recurring, they can have serious consequences for children. In these cases, the law considers that the child is being subjected to psychological ill‑treatment, which justifies intervention by the DYP.

To limit the long‑term effects on children, it is essential to quickly restore functional co‑parenting. The program was designed with this in mind and brings together the efforts of the legal system and youth protection to help parents experiencing a separation conflict to work better together.

The program aims to support these families by positioning the child at the heart of decisions, through the following objectives:

• Help parents communicate better, resolve conflicts, manage their emotions and reach agreements.
• Limit the negative effects of conflicts on children’s development, both short- and long‑term.
• Provide an appropriate and rapid legal and psychosocial response for families in high‑conflict situations.
• Adapt legal approaches according to parents’ engagement in support services, and avoid the system being used as a tool of conflict.
• Encourage parents to manage their disagreements in a healthy way, without constantly depending on the courts or case workers.
• Put an end to any situation that compromises the safety or well‑being of the child as soon as possible.

The program is intended for families where intervention by the Director of Youth Protection is part of legal measures concerning high‑conflict separation.

If you are not the subject of a report to youth protection, this program is not for you. However, there are other family mediation services.

To be eligible, families must meet certain criteria, in particular the following:

• the parents acknowledge that there is a conflict between them and the impact on the child, regardless of their responsibility;
• the parents are willing and agree to work together to find solutions that are in the best interests of their child or children.

The socio‑legal intervention program for families experiencing high‑conflict separation is in place in several regions of Quebec. Ask the youth protection worker responsible for your case for more information.

The program ensures that psychosocial services and the legal system move in the same direction for the benefit of the child or children at the centre of the conflict.

A neutral person who is independent of DYP services is appointed to accompany the families. Their intervention is confidential and they cannot be forced to testify in court.

They offer intensive, specialized psychosocial support to improve family dynamics and reduce conflict between the parents. They also help the parents develop co‑parenting skills, in an approach focused on the children’s needs.

The court intervenes quickly in the cases of families in severe conflict and the process takes the parents’ engagement into account.

The legal process is adapted by offering a less traditional approach and a different role for lawyers to reduce its negative effects. A single judge is responsible for the case for the duration of the program, which allows for better continuity.