SOS Separation Kit – Guidance for Parents, Resources for Children

The “Boîte SOS Séparation” is a free, practical, and accessible tool designed for families in Lausanne facing the early stages of a separation. It brings together, in a simple and practical format, the initial information and resources parents need: how to talk to their children about it, how to protect them from conflict, what first steps to take, and which professionals or services to turn to. Part of the kit is also designed for children, with materials to help them put their experiences into words. The goal is to intervene as early as possible, before tensions escalate, and to provide families with immediately usable guidance.

The project is aimed at parents living in Lausanne who are considering a separation or who have recently separated, with or without minor children. Special attention will be given to families with limited resources, a limited support network, or who are unaware of the organizations and professionals available to assist them. The kit is intended for both parents—whether they initiated the separation or are on the receiving end of it—and is primarily aimed at families with children to help shield them from the stress associated with the couple’s breakup. Children also benefit from the project through age-appropriate materials designed to help them understand and express what they are going through.

A separation is a major upheaval for a family. In the first few weeks, parents often have to make numerous decisions regarding the children, housing, finances, and daily routines, even as they are going through an emotionally difficult time. The questions are very practical: How do you break the news of the separation to the children? What should you tell them, and what should you avoid saying? How do you answer their questions? How do you continue to communicate with the other parent? How do you prevent the child from being caught in the middle of the conflict? What steps should be taken first? When should you consult a lawyer, a mediator, a psychologist, or another professional? One of the major challenges is to take action early enough, before misunderstandings, tensions, and conflicts become more difficult to manage. However, while information and resources do exist, they are often scattered. Someone facing a separation for the first time may not necessarily know where to turn or which steps to prioritize. The “SOS Separation Kit” addresses this need by offering a free and easily accessible initial resource. It will be designed as a comprehensive toolkit and will include, among other things: * a fact sheet titled “I’m Getting a Divorce: Where Do I Start?”; * a list of the first steps and decisions to consider; * a guide titled “How Do I Talk to the Children About This?”; * answers to questions frequently asked by children; * a fact sheet titled “Protecting Your Child from Conflict”; * tools for communicating with the other parent; * an overview of the various professionals who may be involved; * a directory of local resources and organizations; * a worksheet to help each parent identify their next steps; * specific materials for children: emotions, questions, and a space for self-expression. The content will be tailored to the Swiss and Lausanne context, with local information and resources. The goal is not to replace legal, psychological, or therapeutic support, but to help families know where to start, better understand their needs, and quickly identify appropriate resources. An opportunity for prevention. What sets this project apart is that it offers a resource that can be used before the family situation deteriorates. The kit can be given directly to families or made available at various locations frequented by Lausanne families: sociocultural centers, community centers, drop-in centers, associations, or other partner organizations. It will thus serve as a simple gateway to existing resources. The pilot project will enable the creation and distribution of an initial batch of 100 “SOS Separation” Kits and will assess their use and usefulness among families. The impact will be measured, in particular, by the number of boxes distributed, feedback from families, and the resources to which they were referred. Ultimately, the goal is for this tool to continue to be distributed and updated so that it becomes a sustainable resource for families in Lausanne.

Lausanne—ExLibertas will handle the project’s design and coordination. The “SOS Separation” Kits will then be distributed free of charge to families in Lausanne and made available, whenever possible, at various locations accessible to families: sociocultural centers, community centers, associations, and other partner organizations. The goal is to promote decentralized distribution across different neighborhoods in Lausanne so that the kit is accessible to families who need it.

November–December 2026 | Design Finalization of the concept and objectives Identification of resources and programs in Lausanne Development of content for parents and children Identification of partner organizations for distribution January 2027 | Creation and Approval Graphic design of the box Proofreading and approval of content Finalization of local resources and contact information Preparation of materials for children February 2027 | Production and Distribution Printing and preparation of copies Distribution of the first boxes to partner organizations Launch of distribution to families in Lausanne March–June 2027 | Distribution and initial feedback Continued distribution across Lausanne’s various neighborhoods Expansion of the network of partner organizations Collection of initial feedback from families and professionals July–September 2027 | Evaluation and Improvement Analysis of the feedback collected Identification of the most useful content and any additional needs Adjustments to the kit and its resources October–November 2027 | Review and Sustainability Review of the pilot project Assessment of the number of families and organizations reached Identification of the conditions necessary for the project’s continuation Search for partners and funding to maintain or expand distribution Total project duration: October 2026 to November 2027

4,000

The project will be developed in collaboration with local partners who can help promote it among families in Lausanne. The proposed partnerships include, in particular: community centers and sociocultural organizations in Lausanne; associations active in the fields of family and parenting; family support and information centers; services and institutions active in the fields of children and families; professionals and networks specializing in the legal, psychological, social, and family fields. As part of the project, outreach efforts will be made to identify organizations willing to make the “SOS Separation Kits” available to their clients. The goal is to create a local network of distribution points, allowing families to easily access this resource—without an appointment and free of charge.