My parents are separating

Sometimes separated families can find it hard to agree on what is best for you.

When it is so hard to agree, your family may ask the family court to help try and sort things out.

If this happens the family court may ask someone from Cafcass Cymru to come and speak with you about how you feel.

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How are we going to help you?

Here’s what you need to know about Cafcass Cymru.

This letter explains a bit more about how we will be in touch with you.

A family court looks a bit like an office.

In some courts everyone sits around a table and in others the judge or magistrates will sit at the front.

The family court is not a court where people go if they have done something wrong. It is a place where important decisions are made such as where you should live and who you should see.

Judges and magistrates listen carefully to what everyone has to say and give everyone a chance to speak.

They will also ask questions and want everyone to speak the truth.

Judges and magistrates don’t wear wigs in the family courts.

They will decide what is best for you and what happens next.

Children don’t have to go to court.

If you want to, you can write a letter or draw a picture to say what you feel. We will help you if you would like help. We will make sure it is sent to court.

You may want to meet the person who is making decisions about you. If you want to do this, tell us and we will speak with the court to see if it’s ok.

If the judge or magistrates decide to meet with you, this might be at the court building, or you might talk to them using a video call instead.

All children, no matter who they are or where they are from, have rights.

Rights are things you should have as a person, like the right to an education or the right to life.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is an agreement between countries which sets out the rights that all children should have.

If you want to know more, you can watch this short video or visit the Children Commissioner for Wales website.

If you are worried or need support you can also speak to Childline on 0800 1111 or chat to them online. 

Our information booklet also has links to some other people who can give you information and support.

We always want to improve. So we always want to hear what you thought about the work we did with you. You can fill in a feedback form and we will see if we can improve.