When relationships break down, families face a lot of challenges, including practical considerations such as “what arrangements will be best for any children?” and “what will happen with finances?” Professional family mediators, such as those at Family Matters in Doncaster, act as neutral third parties to help ex-partners have conversations about these issues.
A recent survey by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) shows that mediation is successful in over 70% of cases and that conversations about such issues are a highly successful way of helping couples resolve disputes. The survey also shows that, even though many of the couples don’t know anything about mediation, or think their partner is so unreasonable that mediation will never work: where both of them attend an initial meeting (mediation and assessment meeting – MIAM), three quarters choose to go on to mediate.
John Taylor, chair of the Family Mediation Council said:
“It is not surprising that so many people who attend a first meeting with a mediator choose to go on to mediate. The MIAM provides people with an opportunity to find out what family mediation is, how it might work for them and the practicalities and costs involved, as well as the alternatives if they choose not to mediate. Once people realise that family mediation is less expensive than being represented in court proceedings, as well as being less stressful and quicker than the court process, most realise it is a conversation worth having.”
Juliette Dalrymple, director and family/child mediator at Family Matters Mediation in Doncaster, agrees, saying:
“Mediation is safe, private and confidential. Not only does it cost less and is less stressful than going to court, it also offers more constructive solutions. You are in control in mediation. It’s all about you, your future and that of your children. At Family Matters, our mediators are highly trained and are here to listen and be non-judgemental. All of our mediators have access to a wide variety of local resources and can refer you to other specialists for help and support where appropriate.”
