Skylarking lass briefly needs parent to separate leaders (8-6)

'separate leaders' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'skylarking lass briefly needs parent' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'briefly' could be 'k' and 'k' is present in the answer.
'parent' could be 'ma' (ma can mean mum or mother) and 'ma' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'mischiefing' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?