Parenting Information Programme (PIP) Parenting Information Programmes are designed to help parents learn more about the challenges of post-separation parenting, including the effects on children of ongoing conflict. It also aims to provide advice and support about how best to help children in this situation and enables parents to take steps towards their own solutions. Most parents that go on the course find it very helpful. Former partners always go to different PIP sessions, but it is always important that both parents do attend.  PIP is only available when a court makes a Contact Activity Order as part of Private Law family proceedings in a Family Court, although you can ask the Judge or Magistrates to make an Order to attend. It is for parents who are using the family courts to assist in decision making following separation and divorce.  There is no cost to either party for attendance.  It is not therapeutic, counselling, family mediation or a programme to tell you how to parent – it is an information giving programme, with supporting materials, about co-parenting follow separation and reducing conflict between parents for the benefit of the children.  The programme is most effective when it is run in groups – the groups will be mixed gender with both resident and non resident parents – but former partners will never be in the same group. The PIP consists of 2 sessions, lasting between 2 – 2 ½ hours each. It is normally run over a period of two weeks and you must attend part one before part two. Impact Family Services will inform the Court of your attendance or non attendance. Impact Family Services is the sole provider of PIP for cases heard in the following Family Courts: In Northumberland:  Berwick upon tweed Family Proceedings Court;    Morpeth & Berwick County Court;   South East Northumberland Family Proceedings Court In Tyne & Wear: Gateshead Family Proceedings Court;   Gateshead County Court;   South Tyneside Family Proceedings Court;  South Tyneside County Court;   Sunderland Family Proceedings Court;   Sunderland County Court In Durham: Durham County Court;   Durham North Family Proceedings Court;   Durham South Family Proceedings Court In Tees Valley:  Hartlepool Family Proceedings Court;  Hartlepool County Court Impact Family Services run PIP in venues in Ashington, Gateshead, South Shields, Sunderland, Durham City and Hartlepool. Once we receive a copy of the Court Order you will be contacted to arrange a place on the programme most convenient for you. Full details, including directions, will be sent to you at that time. All administration and booking of PIP is done via our Head Office in Sunderland.  If you have any queries please contact Gill Docherty, Office Manager, on 0191 5678282 or email her on: gill.docherty@impactfs.co.uk