Facing family change : children's circumstances, strategies and resources

Family life is becoming increasingly fluid and open to change as a result of divorce.

Young children are particularly likely to experience this as 70 per cent of children in divorcing families are aged 10 years or less.

These children may be isolated at such times especially when parents are unable or unwilling to discuss matters with younger children.Based on interviews with primary school children and adults whose work brings them into contact with children, this report: investigates how children aged 6-10 years perceive family change and its consequences; establishes what information and support is available in the Yorkshire region to young children experiencing family change; and seeks children's views on their preferred means of information and support at such times, including that available from family and friends, Mediation, the Family Court Welfare Service, voluntary organisations and schools."Facing family change" considers children's understanding of the implications and consequences of divorce (whether they have experienced it or not) and the extent to which they may want to have more information or access to greater degrees of support than are currently available.