Course overview

Equip yourself to support families navigating separation

Separation and divorce can be an overwhelming time for both parents and children. Families often face complex emotional, practical, and relational challenges as they adjust to new living arrangements. This workshop equips you with the skills and knowledge to support families through these transitions—helping parents, children, and adolescents better manage the changes, while promoting resilience and wellbeing.

Who should attend

This training is ideal for:

• Community workers and support staff
• School staff and educators
• Health and allied health professionals
• Youth workers and child and family practitioners
• Counsellors and practitioners supporting separating families

Course structure

By the end of this workshop, you will be able to:

• Understand the separation process and its impact on families and children
• Gain knowledge of the family law system and Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
• Identify common behaviours children may display in response to separation and strategies to respond effectively
• Support parents in managing their separation while maintaining care for their children
• Recognise when to refer families for further professional support

About the presenters

Astrid Horter is Program Leader for Learning Delivery at Relationships Australia Victoria. With qualifications in law and psychology, she is an experienced Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), mediator, and child consultant. Astrid leads accredited training programs, provides supervision to external organisations, and has extensive experience as a clinical supervisor, trainer, and manager.

Adrien March is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner with extensive experience in mediation, facilitation, and dispute resolution research. She has expertise in working with rainbow families and high-conflict disputes and is an experienced trainer and course developer for accredited FDR and mediation programs.

Cath Tregillis is a highly experienced FDRP with a background in family therapy and dispute resolution. She has delivered mediation and restorative processes across family, community, and workplace contexts, and is a trainer and assessor in RAV’s FDR and mediation programs.

Enrolment and course access

When you register, you will be directed to our secure payment gateway to confirm your enrolment. A Moodle account (our Learning Management System) will be created for you, giving you access to workshop resources and attendance links.

Please note:

• Registrations close 48 hours before the scheduled event
• Payment is due at least 2 business days before the workshop
• For invoice payments, proof of remittance must be provided at least 24 hours prior

Technical requirements

To participate in the online workshop, you’ll need access to:

• A desktop or laptop computer
• Reliable internet connection
• Headphones (recommended)
• Microphone and speakers
• A built-in or external webcam

Contact us

For further details or questions, please contact our Centre for Learning and Innovation:

• Phone: (03) 8573 2222
• Email: [email protected]