Information

Whether you’re experiencing separation or bereavement, sorting out work or arranging childcare, our information can help. Our online advice is here to help you make confident choices about your family’s future.

Our information is categorised into issues that commonly affect single parents. If you want detailed information on one particular topic, we also have a range of factsheets which provide in-depth information in the form of downloadable PDFs.

Woman writing in binder and speaking to another woman

Benefits, tax credits and universal credit

With the rollout of universal credit occurring at different times in different parts of the country, it can be difficult...

Bereavement

Coping with family life after the loss of a partner can be incredibly difficult. Grief affects people in different ways...

Child maintenance

If you want to arrange child maintenance, you can either do this with your child's other parent directly, or through...

Childcare

Depending on your situation and your financial circumstances, your childcare options can vary as your income changes and as your...

Children of Single Parents

This section of our website is written for children and young people who are adjusting to life as part of...

Contact arrangements

Children usually keep seeing or staying with their other parent regularly after their parents have separated. This is often called...

Disabled single parents

This page looks at support available to you if you are a single parent who is disabled.

Education

Many single parents take on the challenge of studying as a single parent successfully. If you’re thinking about going to college...

Holidays

This page is about planning and making the most of your holidays, whether you are going away as a family or...

Housing

If you have recently become a single parent, you may be looking to find a new home, or adjusting your...

If you don’t live with your children

This information is for parents whose children don’t live with them for most of the time.

Information for Practitioners

This page is for people who work with single parents in a professional capacity.

Legal help and responsibilities

As a single parent, you will have parental responsibilities towards your child. Find out what your parental responsibilities are, how...

LGBT+ single parents

This page looks at issues that may be of particular relevance to single parents that are LGBT+.

Managing money and debt

If you are having trouble managing your money, there are ways to help yourself get out of immediate financial danger,...

Maternity, paternity and adoption

There's a lot to consider when you're about to have a child. Here you'll find information to help you - whether...

Moving in with a new partner

Starting a new relationship is a really exciting time for you, your partner and your family. The process of bringing...

Separating

If you have recently split up with or divorced from your partner, it can be difficult to know where to...

Support for single dads

Becoming a single dad is a life changing event. Here you’ll find a range of practical information to help you...

Working

Whether you are in work and looking to leave, or out of work and wondering where to begin, our information...

You and your child’s wellbeing

If you're split up with your partner or are going through a divorce, it's important to look after yourself as...

Young single parents

Becoming a parent is exciting at any age. You will have lots of things to consider, including your finances. Here...