Practical support for talking to children about family law

While decisions made in the Federal Circuit and Family Court impact and shape a child's world, parents are often reluctant to discuss court proceedings with their children ─ quite rightly wanting to shield them from the details of any family disputes.

The Court has introduced Kids’ Corner, an online resource hub aimed at helping children (and their parents) understand what the Court is, what it does and how decisions affecting children are made. It has been created to assist parents to have these conversations mindfully and carefully, ease anxieties and correct misinformation that might negatively affect children during such a stressful time.

As well as being a resource for parents and caregivers, Kids' Corner has been designed for children and young people themselves, providing information in language they can understand and encouraging them to engage directly with reliable, age-appropriate information about the family law process.

Families, practitioners and child advocates have previously expressed that children feel “in the dark” about court processes, and that parents are unsure what is appropriate or safe to tell them. Kids’ Corner is a tangible step towards a more child-centred practice and provides a neutral, court-endorsed reference point for families navigating separation.

What’s in Kids’ Corner and why it helps

Kids’ Corner provides:

• short animations explaining “What happens when a family goes to court?” and “What is a family expert?”, demystifying key roles and steps for children and teenagers;
• easy-to-follow webpages that answer common questions, name feelings, and define “words you might hear” (e.g. contact centres, family consultants);
• direct pathways to support, including Kids Helpline and Headspace for free, confidential counselling, Youth Law Australia for accessible legal information and a Getting more help page with additional resources for children whose families are going through the family court process;
• information about family change and separation, helping children understand what may be happening in their family and reassuring them that their experiences and feelings are shared by many other children;
• resources addressing common questions and emotions, including dedicated sections such as "Questions you might have", "Things you might feel" and "Kids' stories", which explain family law processes through a child-focused lens and normalise children's experiences during separation.

The resource recognises that children often need more than an explanation of court processes. By addressing common emotions, concerns and experiences associated with family breakdown, Kids' Corner helps children feel informed, reassured and supported through what can be a confusing and stressful period.

One of the most common pain points for parents is what to tell their children and how to say it without causing harm or creating risk. Using court-approved content reduces ambiguity, lowers conflict around “messaging”, and provides parents with certainty and support while navigating an often difficult and fraught topic.

Kids' Corner also provides practitioners, family consultants and Independent Children's Lawyers with a consistent and neutral resource that can be referred to when discussing court processes with children and families.

Guidance for parents: using the resource safely

Parents are rightfully told that their children should not be involved in family proceedings relating to relationship breakdowns. They often feel anxiety about saying too much or making comments that could be used negatively. Court-issued resources reduce this potential source of conflict and risk, allowing parents certainty in the information they can provide to their children.

At the same time, children are often unavoidably exposed to aspects of the process, including attendance at family report interviews, meetings with an Independent Children’s Lawyer or changes in routine driven by interim orders. Having access to reliable information and neutral, court-curated explanations can provide comfort and reduce the likelihood that they will seek answers from inaccurate or inappropriate sources.

The Children’s Charter: ten principles, one message

Launched alongside Kids’ Corner, the Children’s Charter sets out ten principles that place children at the centre of decision making.

The Charter is written for both adults and children and reinforces the Court's commitment to ensuring children are informed, heard and treated with dignity throughout their involvement with the family law system.

In brief:

• Best interests and safety are paramount. Every decision focuses on what is best for the child, with safety and wellbeing front and centre.
• Children have a right to be heard (and not to be pressured to speak). When children do express views, those views are listened to and respectfully considered.
• Information must be clear and age appropriate. Courts and associated services should explain processes in ways children can understand.
• Environments and professionals must be child ready. Physical/online spaces should feel safe; professionals must be appropriately skilled; and children should have avenues to give feedback about their experience.

Helpful links

• Kids’ Corner (FCFCOA)
• Children’s Charter for adults
• Children's Charter for kids
• When families change
• Questions you might have
• Kids' stories
• Things you might feel
• Words you might hear
• Getting more help (FCFCOA), including:
  • Kids Helpline for free, confidential counselling;
  • Headspace for free, confidential counselling;
  • Youth Law Australia for accessible legal information;
  • Smiling Mind Creek videos for understanding feelings.
• For parents seeking broader assistance (especially in higher conflict matters), the Court’s Parenting support services page collects national services, including Lifeline, Beyond Blue and the Family Relationship Advice Line.
• The Children: Overview materials also offer practical guidance about children’s needs during separation.