Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme: A Guide for Divorcing Parents

When parents with minor children under the age of 21 wish to file divorce proceedings, they must first undergo the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) before they can do so.

The CPP aims to provide parents with the knowledge and skills needed to ensure their children’s well-being both during and after a divorce. Through the CPP, parents can also receive personalised support from a counsellor.

This article will cover:

• What the CPP is 
• Who is required to attend the CPP
• What the CPP consists of
• How to apply for the CPP
• Whether a parent can be exempted from the CPP
• What happens after completing the CPP
• Whether a lawyer is needed for the CPP

What is the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)?

The CPP is designed to help parents make well-informed decisions that prioritise their children’s well-being. The CPP targets issues that will have a significant impact on their children, such as housing, schooling, caregiving arrangements, and day-to-day financial matters.

While the programme was initially called the Mandatory Parenting Programme (MPP), it was renamed to the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) in 2023 to better reflect ongoing efforts to promote cooperation in co-parenting after divorce for the benefit of affected children.

Who is Required to Attend the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)?

Parents with children below 21 years old are required to attend the CPP before filing for divorce. The CPP must be completed within two years prior to the filing date of the originating application for divorce.

The programme is mandatory by law under the Women’s Charter. If a parent does not complete the CPP, they will not be able to file for a divorce or file a counterclaim to the divorce.

The CPP does not apply to Muslim divorces. However, parents of a Muslim marriage with children under 21 years of age must attend counselling sessions under the Syariah Court’s Marriage Counselling Programme (MCP) before filing for a divorce application.

What does the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP) Consist of?

The CPP consists of 2 components:

1. E-learning
2. Consultations with a counsellor, ranging from 1 to 3 sessions

Completion of the CPP can be done privately i.e. one parent does not need to inform the other parent of their participation in the CPP.

First component: E-learning

The CPP e-learning component comprises self-assessment tools to help parents gain a better understanding of their marital situation, co-parenting relationship, and their children’s needs. The CPP e-learning takes approximately 1.5 hours, and can be completed in more than one sitting. The e-learning should be completed by each parent individually.

As the e-learning consists of 5 modules with audio and interactive elements, parents with visual/auditory impairment issues or who experience technical difficulties during the e-learning may approach Strengthening Families Programme@Family Service Centre (FAM@FSC) for assistance.

The e-learning session complements the next stage of consultation sessions by providing participants with valuable insights from the self-assessment tools, which will aid their discussions with the counsellors during the consultations.

Second component: Consultations 

Within 6 months of completing the e-learning component of the CPP, the parent must book an appointment for their consultation with a counsellor. A parent may choose to attend the consultation on their own. The consultation can also be attended by both parents together if they wish to do so and they should mutually agree on a common date to book an appointment. In this situation, both parents must have completed the e-learning prior to the consultation.

These CPP consultation sessions aim to provide support to parents who are considering divorce. Counsellors will guide parents in making informed decisions that focus on their children’s well-being while helping them recognise the significance of co-parenting and the practical challenges that may arise from divorce.

Each consultation session may take more than an hour. After the first consultation, appointments for subsequent session(s), if any, are to be made directly with the counsellor. The consultations can range from 1-3 sessions.

During the first consultation session, the counsellor will assess the number of CPP sessions that the parent is required to attend.  This will be done by inquiring about the parent’s decision on marriage,  their co-parenting plans and the state of the children’s well-being. Upon understanding the overall situation, the counsellor may require the parent to attend up to two more sessions if deemed necessary.

While not exhaustive, the subsequent consultation sessions cover common concerns of divorce and co-parenting, such as:

• Making well-informed decisions about the parties’ marriage
• Promoting joint decisions for the best interests of their children
• Addressing co-parenting challenges
• Establishing a co-parenting plan
• Providing support for parties as they navigate divorce

How Do I Apply for the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)?

To register for the CPP, you may refer to the instructions below:

First, to find out whether you are even required to complete the CPP, you must complete the CPP questionnaire, which can be accessed on the MSF website.

After completing the questionnaire, if you are required to attend the programme, you must log in via Singpass to access the CPP e-learning.

Upon completion of the CPP e-learning, you will be directed to an online booking platform to select a suitable time slot for your consultation, and you will be able to see available slots 3 days from the date you login to the booking platform. If you need an earlier appointment to file a cross-application (i.e. a divorce application you file in response to your spouse’s divorce application), you may contact any FAM@FSCs.

The CPP is free of charge and no documents are required. The e-learning is available for free on the Family Assist portal, and CPP Consultations are offered at no cost at all FAM@FSCs.

You may choose any FAM@FSC to attend the CPP consultation. The table below shows the list of locations where you may attend the CPP consultations, and their respective contact details:

Can I be Exempted from the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)?

Lack of mental capacity 

If a parent is deemed to be lacking mental capacity and a Director of the Ministry of Social and Family Development issues a note stating the parent is an excluded party, then the parent may be excluded from participating in the CPP.

Mental incapacity refers to the inability to make decisions regarding a particular matter due to an impairment or disruption in the functioning of the mind or brain. A person is considered as lacking mental capacity if a certified medical practitioner provides a valid assessment indicating that the person is unable to:

• understand relevant information needed for the decision;
• retain that information;
• use or evaluate the information as part of the decision-making process; or
• communicate their decision (whether through speech, sign language, or other means).

To apply for exclusion from the CPP due to a lack of mental capacity, please contact fam_dssaprogrammes@msf.gov.sg for details on how to proceed.

Permission by the court

The courts may allow a parent to apply for a divorce proceeding without completing the CPP in certain situations where the court deems appropriate. For example, the courts may permit divorce proceedings to continue without the parent completing the programme if doing so would benefit the family and child by expediting the process. Such a situation may arise in the case of domestic violence or abuse, to minimise further distress for affected families and address safety concerns through faster divorce proceedings.

Parents residing overseas

For parents residing overseas, they may contact FAM@FSC for assistance. The agency will make arrangements for them to attend the consultation session(s) virtually.

What Happens After I Complete the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)?

Upon completing the CPP, a Certification of Completion will be issued.

With the certificate, you may proceed to file for divorce, file a counterclaim if your spouse is the one who initiated divorce proceedings, or continue with your divorce proceedings if they have already been initiated.

Do I Need to Engage a Lawyer for the Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme (CPP)? 

You do not need to engage a lawyer for the CPP. Even if you have engaged one, you will need to personally attend the CPP. A lawyer will not be able to attend the CPP on your behalf.

However, you may appoint a lawyer to guide and assist you with your CPP application, ensuring that all matters are handled efficiently and effectively.

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In summary, the CPP is a mandatory programme that supports parents with minor children who are thinking of divorce. Through the e-learning and consultation sessions, the CPP advises parents on how to make well-informed decisions and equips them with more knowledge/skills in co-parenting. This reduces the potential for conflicts and mitigates the emotional stress on affected children. Ultimately, the CPP seeks to minimise the harmful impacts of the divorce process and promote the continuous well-being of the young children involved.

Should you require legal advice on the CPP, the divorce process, or other divorce issues, please contact a divorce lawyer for advice.