The Parental Coordinator is a professional who plays a fundamental role in situations of high family conflict, especially in cases of divorce or separation in which help is required in managing communication and making decisions related to the children. Its work focuses on facilitating cooperation between parents and promoting the well-being of minors in a context of conflict. In this article, we will explore in detail what a Parenting Coordinator is and how they work to help families through these difficult times.
What is a Parenting Coordinator?
A Parent Coordinator is a professional trained in psychology, law, mediation, social work or other related disciplines, with experience in family conflicts and in handling high-tension situations. Its main function is to act as a communication bridge between parents, facilitating agreements and decisions that benefit the children and promoting parental collaboration for the benefit of their well-being. It is important to note that the Parental Coordinator does not make decisions for the parents, but rather assists them in the process of reaching agreements for themselves.
How does a Parental Coordinator work?
The work of a Parent Coordinator is developed in several stages and under a framework of ethical and professional principles that guide their actions. Below, we will describe some of the main responsibilities and functions that a Parent Coordinator performs in his daily work:
Establishment of a Coordination Plan
The first step that a Parent Coordinator performs when To begin your intervention is to establish a Coordination Plan, which details the objectives, operating rules and commitments of both parties. This plan usually includes the frequency and modality of meetings, communication between the Coordinator and the parents, guidelines for decision-making and conflict resolution, among other aspects relevant to the management of co-parenting.
Communication between parents
One of the fundamental pillars of the Parental Coordinator's work is to facilitate communication between parents, with the aim of establishing effective channels for conflict resolution and decision-making related to children. To this end, the Coordinator acts as an impartial and neutral mediator, promoting constructive dialogue and empathy between the parties to find consensual solutions that benefit minors.
Conflict Mediation
In In cases of disagreements or conflicts between parents, the Parent Coordinator intervenes as a mediator to help identify differences, analyze the needs of each party and look for alternative solutions that allow reaching satisfactory agreements for both parties. Its approach focuses on the best interests of the minor and promoting parental collaboration for the benefit of the children's well-being.
Monitoring and follow-up
The Parental Coordinator constantly monitors the evolution of the relationships between parents and the situation of the children, to detect possible latent conflicts, evaluate compliance with established agreements and provide the necessary support in case of deviations or non-compliance. This monitoring and follow-up work contributes to maintaining an environment of collaboration and respect between parents, promoting the emotional well-being and stability of minors.
Intervention in decision making
When parents cannot reach agreements on relevant issues for their children, such as parenting, education or health, the Parent Coordinator can intervene to facilitate decision-making, proposing consensual alternatives, providing guidance on the children's needs and promoting consensus for the benefit of their comprehensive development.
Parental education
In addition to their mediation and coordination work, the Parental Coordinator provides guidance and education to parents on strategies to improve communication , resolve conflicts constructively, manage the stress and anxiety associated with the separation process, and promote positive and healthy parenting for children. This educational work is essential to empower parents in the management of their co-parenting and to foster a safe and harmonious family environment.
Confidentiality and professional ethics
One of the fundamental principles in The job of the Parental Coordinator is confidentiality, which guarantees the protection of the privacy and intimacy of the parties involved in the process. The Coordinator undertakes to maintain the confidentiality of the communications and information exchanged during the sessions, unless there is an imminent risk to the physical or emotional integrity of the children or any of the parties, in which case the protocols of communication are activated. established protection.
Multidisciplinary collaboration
The work of the Parental Coordinator is usually framed in a multidisciplinary context, in which he collaborates with other professionals such as psychologists, lawyers, social workers and family therapists, to comprehensively address the needs of families in conflict. This interdisciplinary collaboration allows us to enrich interventions, share knowledge and experiences, and offer holistic and personalized support to each family based on their particularities and circumstances.
Continuous updating
Given the complexity and the changing dynamics of family situations in conflict, it is essential that the Parent Coordinator stay up to date on psychology, family law, mediation, conflict resolution and other related areas, in order to offer effective and quality intervention to the families that require your help. Continuous training and case supervision are key aspects in the professional development of the Coordinator, which allow them to improve their skills and competencies to adequately address the needs of the families they serve.
Conclusions
In short, the Parental Coordinator is an indispensable ally in situations of high family conflict, who plays a crucial role in managing communication and decision-making between parents in the context of separation or divorce. Its work is aimed at promoting parental cooperation, the well-being of children and the construction of agreements that promote a healthy and harmonious family environment. Through his mediation, guidance and education, the Parental Coordinator contributes to the improvement of family relationships and the strengthening of co-parenting, for the benefit of the minors and the entire family as a whole.