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1. Check all options available to you. Some additional resources are:

• Citizens Advice provides a clear overview of the various options available
• MoneyHelper goes through the practical pros and cons of private, Direct Pay, Collect and Pay and court routes
• Gingerbread (Single Parent Support) offers an interactive tool which gives advice according to your situation

2. Plan and estimate:

• Calculate child maintenance on GOV.uk
• Working out the cost of raising your children
• Planning your child maintenance conversation

3. Consider mediation or conflict support services (where safe and appropriate):

• Family Mediation Voucher Scheme – government contribution of up to £500 toward mediation costs for eligible cases
• Reducing Parental Conflict (RPC)– information and resources for families to reduce harmful conflict and improve communication with training and local projects
• Relate – find local (often free) relationship/parenting support linked to RPC/family hubs