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What Is Parent Coordination?
Parent Coordination is a respectful, structured, child-focused process that helps separated or divorced parents manage ongoing parenting disagreements. Rather than returning to court each time a conflict arises, parents work with a trained neutral professional to clarify expectations, improve communication, and find practical solutions that support the well-being and stability of their children.
Parent Coordination is especially helpful when a parenting plan or court order is already in place, but parents continue to disagree about how it should be interpreted or implemented.
The process is designed to reduce repeated conflict, support accountability, and help parents address concerns in a timely, organized way. Depending on the terms of the parents’ written agreement or court order, the Parent Coordinator may provide education, coaching, facilitation, written summaries, and—only where specifically authorized— limited decision-making within a clearly defined scope.
Parent Coordination may address:
- Parenting schedules, holidays, vacations, and special events
- Transitions, exchanges, and transportation
- Communication between parents
- School, routine health, and extracurricular matters
- Travel arrangements and exchange of child-related information
- Clarification and implementation of parenting plans or court orders
The process does not replace independent legal advice, therapy, emergency services, child protection investigations, or the authority of the court.
Learn More:
A consultation can help you understand the process, the consent requirements, and whether Parent Coordination may be appropriate for your family
parent coordinator
Why might your family need a Parent Coordinator?
When communication has become strained, even routine parenting decisions can feel overwhelming. Repeated conflict can delay decisions, increase legal costs, and place children in the middle of adult disagreements.
A Parent Coordinator provides a structured process that helps parents:
- Communicate more clearly and effectively
- Resolve day-to-day parenting disputes without escalating every issue
- Implement existing parenting arrangements with greater consistency
- Keep children out of adult conflict
- Develop practical, sustainable solutions for the family
The goal is not to determine which parent is “right.” The goal is to help parents make decisions that are child-focused, respectful, workable, and consistent with the family’s legal arrangements.
Role of the Parent Coordinator with Parents
A Parent Coordinator may support parents by:
- Identifying priorities and concerns affecting the child
- Developing communication and problem-solving skills
- Clarifying parenting plans and court orders within the professional role
- Managing conflict in a structured setting
- Documenting agreements and next steps
Professional Neutrality
The Parent Coordinator does not represent either parent and does not provide legal advice. The Parent Coordinator remains neutral while keeping the child’s best interests at the centre of the process.
How does Parent Coordination support children?
Children often benefit when the adults in their lives reduce conflict, communicate respectfully, and follow predictable routines.
A Parent Coordinator may help parents:
- Protect children from loyalty conflicts and adult disputes
- Support stable routines across households
- Address concerns about school, health, transitions, and activities
- Consider the child’s developmental, emotional, cultural, and relational needs
- Use parallel parenting strategies when direct cooperation is not safe or realistic
Children are not asked to choose between parents or resolve adult disputes. Where child participation is appropriate, it must be safe, developmentally suitable, and clearly connected to the purpose of the process.
Children should never be responsible for carrying messages, gathering information, or managing conflict between adults.
How the process works
1. Intake and Screening
1. Intake and Screening
1. Intake and Screening
Each parent is typically met with separately to review concerns, goals, safety, and suitability.
2. Consent and Scope
1. Intake and Screening
1. Intake and Screening
The role, authority, confidentiality, fees, and communication expectations are clearly documented.
3. Structured Problem Solving
3. Structured Problem Solving
3. Structured Problem Solving
Issues are identified, information is gathered, and child-focused solutions are explored.
4. Agreement and Follow-up
3. Structured Problem Solving
3. Structured Problem Solving
Agreements, action steps, and review dates are documented so expectations remain clear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please reach us at info@stcc.ca if you cannot find an answer to your question.
No. Parent Coordination may include education and communication coaching, but it is not individual therapy, couples counselling, or family therapy.
Only when that authority is specifically granted through a written agreement or court order. Without that authority, the role is facilitative and educational.
Privacy is respected, but confidentiality is not absolute. Limits may apply because of legal obligations, court orders, safety concerns, child protection duties, or the terms of the Parent Coordination agreement.
Safety is screened throughout the process. Meetings may be held separately or virtually, communication may be restricted, or the service may be paused or declined where safe and meaningful participation is not possible.
No. Parents should obtain independent legal advice about their rights, responsibilities, court orders, and any agreement granting authority to the Parent Coordinator.
We are accepting new clients
Please feel free to contact us to arrange a free 15 min consultation to see if we are a fit for you.