Split family
This function will let you split a family of two (or more) parent/carers. It is typically used after a divorce or separation. The option (only available to families with two or more parent/carers) will allow you to choose which parent leaves the main family.
What is the main family and other family?
The main family is the parent/carer(s) who live with the student. The other family contains the parent/carer (almost always a biological parent) who doesn't live at the students home. So a typical example may see a mother and her defacto partner/new husband being listed as parent/carers 1 and 2 and the father being listed as the 'other parent'.
Thus when you split a family the system will ask you to specify the parent/carer who is LEAVING the main family. This parent/carer will become the 'other' parent. This parent could still have custody and indeed still have the student reside with them on occasion, however the systems needs to have one family considered 'main'.
To split a family simply follow the on screen prompts.
- You will first be asked which parent/carer is leaving the 'main' family.
- Once this has been specified you will now be asked to give the 'other' parent/carer a family name (eg Mr Jones).
The family manager always works within the context of a particular student.
- Where a family only has one child then splitting the family is straight forward (in that the child stays with the main family).
- Where there are multiple children you will be asked if any of those children will be leaving with the 'other' parent.
Below is an example of a family split
Figure 1: The Simpsons family, mum, dad and 3 kids.
Figure 2: Homer J Simpson is leaving the Family and is taking Bart with him.
Figure 3: The new Family from Maggie's perspective (who still lives with her mum).
Maggie and Lisa are shown as being part of the same main family, Homer is shown as the other parent and as Bart has a relationship to Maggie's mother he too is shown.
Figure 4: The new Family from Bart's perspective (who now lives with his dad). In Bart's view, we see Homer is the main parent for him and Marge is the other parent, both Lisa and Maggie are shown here as they share a relationship with one of Bart's parents.
