^{Originally written in February 2024, with updates made in October 2024}

Separating better co-parenting support app

Separating better, a groundbreaking mobile app from our team of experts, is developed to support parents navigating the challenges of separation. This child-centric app provides essential guidance on co-parenting and managing disagreements, and has been designed with the wellbeing of the family in mind.  

‍

The background: why build Separating better?

Separating better is the culmination of years of research, addressing the overwhelming and often confusing information surrounding separation for parents. It cuts through the noise, offering a combination of emotional support and practical advice through a self-guided mobile app journey.  

‍

Designed for all parents in the consideration or early stage of separation, this self-managed digital intervention resource provides effective ways to assess emotional readiness, understand finances as a solo parent, improve co-parenting communication, and make practical childcare arrangements.  

‍

The research: the evidence behind the resource

Supported by funding from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Separating better draws on decades of research and expertise from OnePlusOne, the UK’s leading relationship research and innovation charity. This evidence-based approach equips parents with practical tools and emotional skills, empowering them to co-parent effectively.

‍

Separating better is the latest innovative resource in a line of impactful digital interventions for parents and couples, born out of previous successful interventions rooted in Behaviour Modelling Training. The OnePlusOne team conducted co-creation sessions and interviews with separating or separated across the UK to ensure the effectiveness of the resources and support, aligning with common issues found in parents’ separation.  

‍

The development: how was Separating better made?

Crafted by relationship experts at OnePlusOne, the app's development has been made possible through the Reducing Parental Conflict Challenge Fund 2. It offers practical guidance, including budgeting, legal arrangements, and the creation of a personalised parenting plan.  

‍

‍

Developed as a secure, discreet, safe, and protected native mobile app, there are considerations for a future desktop app version of Separating better. The app content and solutions have been informed by decades of research and the engaged co-creation sessions with separating or separated parents.  

Behind the scenes of Separating better

The Work it out Behaviour Modelling Training scenario videos within the app were designed to address common, relatable real-life separation situations. These videos aim to teach separating parents how to improve their communication for effective co-parenting. Created with a TV production crew and a team of professional actors, the scripts were developed by experts at OnePlusOne based on evidence, research, and co-creation sessions.  

‍

‍

Key features of the app: how does Separating better work?

Separating better includes a wide range of solutions combining emotional support with practical tools and advice to navigate the separation journey effectively.  

‍

Key features include:

• An emotional readiness assessment to determine a parent’s readiness for the separation process.
• A personalised parenting plan with co-parenting agreement options to help shape the practicalities in a parent’s life post-separation.
• A budget planner to help parents gain control of their finances as a new co-parent and to plan ahead for any shared or split expenses for the children.
• Work it out scenario videos to help identify any poor communication skills or disagreements between co-parents and demonstrate how to improve upon them.
• Expert advice and guidance articles on a wide range of separation topics, from communication and living arrangements to finances and practical legal advice.

Separating better launches across England

In March, Separating better was successfully launched on both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, making it available to parents and families across England.  

Since then, the app has gained widespread support, with over 5,000 parents already benefiting from its practical and emotional tools. Many local authorities, practitioners, and family law professionals have also added it to their support toolkit. The response so far has been incredibly positive, highlighting the real need for such a resource to help families navigate separation in a child-focused, emotionally intelligent way.

Separating better gets a design overhaul

We’ve worked hard to make Separating better even easier to use. With a fresh, modern design, the app is now more intuitive, interactive, and engaging than ever before. This overhaul was done in collaboration with Holdens Agency. Animation studio, The Like Minded also helped create a visually appealing and practical step-by-step animation video to assist users through the app’s various features.  

‍

‍

Parents now find it easier to navigate through important sections like planning co-parenting, budgeting, and accessing the emotional readiness assessments. This design overhaul ensures that parents can access help more efficiently during an already stressful time.

New app features

We continue to build on our promise of providing the most comprehensive co-parenting support app available. New features introduced include:

Expert articles. We’ve expanded our library of evidence-based expert articles. Our newest articles dive deep into the different emotional challenges parents may face during separation, offering evidence-based guidance and reassurance.

In-app inbox. A new, secure inbox has been created within the app for technical and practical communications. This feature helps users receive support updates, progress notifications, and troubleshooting tips discreetly, ensuring all communications are kept away from their main email inbox.

Integrated chatbot. Available 24/7, the chatbot provides immediate emotional and practical support to parents, as well as an easy way to resolve technical issues or get referred to other helpful services.

These new features reflect our ongoing commitment to address both the emotional and practical needs of separated parents. By continually evolving the app’s functionality, we ensure that it remains a vital tool for parents going through separation, with a focus on real-time support and user-friendly resources.

What’s next for Separating better?

Looking ahead, we plan to introduce even more features and improvements based on user feedback and research. Our focus will continue to be on enhancing the app's ability to provide discreet, secure, and practical co-parenting support.

Separating better is more than just an app. It's a vital tool for parents in the early stages of separation, offering emotional guidance and practical solutions during one of the most challenging periods of their lives. With thousands of parents already benefiting from its features and a rollout across England, we’re excited to see the positive impact Separating better will continue to have on families.

Stay updated with future app developments and find out more about how Separating better can support you by keeping up to date with our blog.    

‍