Expertise Centrum Kind en Scheiding

www.kiesinfo.com

about

KIES (Kids In Divorce Situations) is a Dutch program, developed by Maaike de Kort and Nelly Snels-Dolron at Expertise Centrum Kind en Scheiding. Both are experienced in providing support in working with young parents, educational support, grief and loss counselling and outpatient education support.

They have undertaken quasi-experimental research with separated children and, in contact with the University of Utrecht, they developed the KIES program. The program received from parents and children an average rating of 8.5.

The Province of North Brabant made it possible for the program to be available to professionals. At the end of 2008 started a major new study, by the University with support from ZonMw, on the effects of KIES with the aim of inclusion in the database and implementation of KIES for all children of separation where necessary.

The interventions in the KIES program are aimed at promoting the skills and confidence of children and parents in the situation where they are affected by divorce.

KIES is:

• clarification of information on divorce,
• clarification of the different perspectives
• understand yourself and others
• strength of children and parents
• strengthen behaviour in dealing with changes brought about by the separation, conflict, transformation, dealing with problems and resolving difficult situations
• less use of coercive and negative discipline in relation to the various parties, ex-partners, parents and children, ex-partners of ex new relationships, children with family members from a compound
• better communication between all parties on the separation and responsibilities on parents and parenting issues between parents and between parents and child, and less parenting stress.

These results are achieved through the creation of peer contact for children and a supportive learning environment for parents in parent meetings and information. In KIES, children can talk about their own experiences with the separation of their parents and all the changes and difficulties they have experienced. Children can best help and find answers within the peer group and self learning how to respond and help in their own environment. Parents will receive information and tips on divorce and education and practical information on skills they can apply in their daily live.

funding

Government support in Netherlands

non Government support in Netherlands

Legislation in Netherlands

useful links