The Co-parenting pathway

A guided process for separating parents who want a kinder, more amicable outcome for their family. Built on 20+ years of experience in child-inclusive mediation and family repair.

we help parents craft positive new futures for their families.

Most separating parents don't want long, drawn-out conflict. They want to protect their children, reach a fair agreement and move forward with their lives.

Working alongside your lawyers, the Co-Parenting Pathway helps families resolve their separation outside of court, saving time and money, while reducing the emotional impact on all involved.

who is the co-parenting pathway for?

The Co-Parenting Pathway is designed to work in collaboration with your lawyers, providing the best of both worlds. It could be right for you and your family if:

  • You are separating and want to do it well, with your children's wellbeing at the centre

  • You want your children to feel heard and supported through the process

  • You are already in legal proceedings and want the best outcome for your family

  • You and your co-parent are struggling to communicate or have reached an impasse

  • Your situation is complex, high conflict or involves difficult dynamics

  • One of you is reluctant to engage. Leave that up to us.

How it works

Every family is different, and the Co-Parenting Pathway gives you a clear framework while remaining flexible enough to work around your circumstances.

Stage 1 Individual sessions Weeks 1–4
Stage 2 Child consultation Weeks 5–6
Stage 3 Joint feedback Week 8
Stage 4 Co-parenting alliance Weeks 10–12

Senior mediator

Bill Hewlett

Typical pathway cost

£2,145 + VAT

Per parent, including one child consultation

Additional children: +£220 per child + VAT

Per session

Individual (90 min)£525 per parent + VAT
Child consultation£220 per child + VAT
Joint feedback (2 hrs)£700 per parent + VAT
Co-parenting alliance (2 hrs)£700 per parent + VAT

Sessions are billed as you go and can be added or removed to suit your family's needs.

Mediator

Bella Hewlett

Typical pathway cost

£1,705 + VAT

Per parent, including one child consultation

Additional children: +£220 per child + VAT

Per session

Individual (90 min)£405 per parent + VAT
Child consultation£220 per child + VAT
Joint feedback (2 hrs)£540 per parent + VAT
Co-parenting alliance (2 hrs)£540 per parent + VAT

Sessions are billed as you go and can be added or removed to suit your family's needs.

Ready to take the first step?

Book a free consultation to find out if the Co-Parenting Pathway is right for your family.

Why the Co-Parenting Pathway?

There are many ways to navigate separation. The Co-parenting Pathway will help you put your children first and guide you towards a  sustainable co-parenting relationship.

Families who work with us find that they are more equipped to deal with the necessary changes that often accompany separation, saving time, money and stress by avoiding court. We guide you to make fair, practical decisions around finances and child arrangements, allowing you to manage the future with a sense of positivity and optimism.

You will be equipped with tools to allow you to co-parent in a way that keeps the children at the heart of all your decision making, knowing that you've done your best to ensure that your children will thrive.

Here is how the Co-Parenting Pathway compares to other divorce approaches.

Co-Parenting Pathway Court proceedings Self-guided platforms Traditional mediation
Typical cost From £2,000 + VAT per parent £5,000–£30,000+ per parent £900–£1,200 £3,000–£6,000+
Typical timeline 10–12 weeks 12–18 months Variable Variable
Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) as standard Yes No No Sometimes
Non-adversarial approach Yes No Yes Yes
Works with domestic abuse and coercive control Yes Yes No No
Works alongside your lawyer Yes Yes No Yes
Focus on co-parenting relationship Yes No No Sometimes
Legally binding outcome OptionalAvailable as an additional step Yes No Sometimes

Not sure which route is right for you? Book a free consultation and we can talk it through.

  • "There is a reason Bill Hewlett is in such high demand

    In his gentle but implacable way, he opened our eyes - against our will - to our responsibility to build a relationship, being one solely for co-parenting.

    He did this by placing our children in the forefront of our consideration, particularly in terms of how we appear to them. And by showing kindness and compassion (even if anathema in the most destructive of separations), he demonstrated that the other person would come forward, with positive effects, even long before our hearts follow.

    Bella’s role was critical as parents have different incentives to meet, and Bella’s highly constructive and diplomatic approach played a significant role in bringing us both together.”

  • "When I felt anger, Bill showed me a wider perspective.

    When I felt lost, Bill gave me hope. Most of all, Bill kept me focussed on the kids, helping me figure out the core of parenting, of being a dad.”

  • "Civilised separations helped our family understand our situation in a different way

    and we were able to finally communicate in a positive way”

  • "Bill is likeable but with a no nonsense feel

    I would strongly recommend Civilised separations! Thank you Bill!”

  • "Bill has an uncanny ability to cut through the noise

    and to identify the core problems in a relationship and then create an environment where both individuals learn to understand each other without blame, recrimination or falling back into the same old doom-loop. It made me look at my relationship in a very different way and made me a better person. I can categorically say that I would not be married today if my partner and I had not worked with Bill.”

Take the first step

A free consultation is the easiest way to find out if the Co-Parenting Pathway is right for your family. There is no commitment and no pressure, just an honest conversation about what you need.

Got more questions? Check out our FAQs, blog or podcast for more information about us.