Child consultation consent Your name*Your email* Your telephone number*Frequently asked questions What does Child Inclusive Mediation mean?It means that your child will have the chance to be consulted as part of a mediation process. What they say, if they agree, will mean that parents or carers hear and listen to the child’s messages. These messages and ideas then help the parents to reach decisions about the best way forward within a mediation setting. How old does my child have to be?It’s usually offered to children who are aged 10 and above. Section 5.7.2 of the FMC Code of Practice embodies Article 12 of the UNCRC 1989, which gives all children the right to express their views in all matters affecting them in accordance with their age and maturity. In this jurisdiction, all children of 10 and over should have the opportunity to be consulted if they wish, when decisions and arrangements are being made that affect them. Younger children (including younger siblings and other children of the family) can be included as they are equally important members of the family. If there are safeguarding concerns or a child has learning difficulties or mental health issues CIM is not appropriate. The idea is that it is an opportunity for your child/ren to have a private conversation with a professionally qualified Mediator or Child Consultant who is CIM trained where they can, if they choose, give their ideas, views and perspectives on the current arrangements so that parents can include those views in their discussion and decision making. Does my child get to choose where they want to live or whether they want to spend time with the other parent?Children and young people may make requests and offer suggestions, but they are not asked, or given power, to make choices or decisions. The people who are in the best position to make decisions about children are parents. The decisions remain with the child’s parents (or others holding PR). Is what my child says confidential? Can it be shared with a court?Conversations with a child or young person are confidential information from Child Inclusive mediation cannot be shared with the court or anyone else outside the mediation process. The exceptions to this are • Where there are safeguarding concerns • Where, in exceptional circumstances, the law (or a court) imposes an overriding obligation of disclosure upon the Mediator. • Where the child or young person requests the Mediator to share specific messages with their parents/carers. Does the mediator take sides?The CIM Mediator remains impartial in a meeting with a child or young person and is not allowed to represent the child or act as the child’s advocate. Who makes the decision, is it the child?Children and young people may make requests and offer suggestions, but they are not asked, or given power, to make choices or decisions. Will a report be prepared?The confidentiality is the child’s. This means only what is agreed with the child will be shared with the parents. Notes may be taken by the CIM and agreed with the child. After the feedback meeting to the parents, these notes are then destroyed. The CIM will not prepare a written report of either of the parents their solicitor or the court process. I have read and understood the Child Inclusive Mediation information FAQ* I have read and understood the Child Inclusive Mediation information FAQ (above) Agreement to child inclusive mediation I understand and accept:I have agreed our child/ren will be consulted as part of the mediation process.* I have agreed our child/ren will be consulted as part of the mediation process. This is called Child Inclusive mediation (CIM) and the person who our child/ren will meet with is called a Child Consultant.* This is called Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) and the person who our child/ren will meet with is called a Child Consultant. Before The Meeting I understand and accept:I have read and understand Family Matters Fees for child consultation within mediation* I have read and understand Family Matters Fees for child consultation within mediation. (below) What are the fees? Meeting and Purpose Time involved Cost Consultation with the childrenFace to face or online.Present: Child Consultant and the children only 1 Hour £72each parent Feedback session and MediationFeedback sessionOnline, joint meeting.Present: Child Consultant, Mediator, both parents.The Child Consultant provides feedback to the parents from the meeting with the child/ren.Mediation meetingOnline, shuttle or joint meeting.Present: Mediator and parents in separate online meeting.The Child Consultant will leave the meeting. The mediation will continue with the Mediator and the parents on a shuttle or joint basis. 2 hoursFeedback: joint meetingMediation: shuttle or joint meeting £288each parent The Meeting I understand and accept:The meeting for our child/ren with the Child Consultant will not be recorded.* The meeting for our child/ren with the Child Consultant will not be recorded. Our child/ren will be given privacy in their meeting with the Child Consultant so they can speak freely.* Our child/ren will be given privacy in their meeting with the child consultant so they can speak freely. The child can be consulted at Family Matters Doncaster office or other agreed neutral venue.* The child can be consulted at Family Matters Doncaster office or other agreed neutral venue. Any online meeting for our child will happen in one parent’s house unless otherwise agreed.* Any online meeting for our child will happen in one parent’s house unless otherwise agreed. Our Child I understand and accept: Our child will understand their right to a private conversation with the Child Consultant from which there may or may not be any feedback to parents. I will not brief our child beforehand on what they should or should not say to the Child Consultant.* Our child will understand their right to a private conversation with the Child Consultant from which there may or may not be any feedback to parents. I will not brief our child beforehand on what they should or should not say to the Child Consultant. Please note: If it comes to the attention of the Child Consultant that our child has been briefed or influenced about what they should or should not say in the meeting it may be ended.After the meeting I understand and accept: I will not question our child after the meeting with the Child Consultant about what they did, or did not, say.* I will not question our child after the meeting with the Child Consultant about what they did, or did not, say. I will listen openly to any messages our child may wish to be conveyed to us. We will listen to the views of our child with respect in our decision making, and not to punish, blame or criticise them for any views that they express.* I will listen openly to any messages our child may wish to be conveyed to us. We will listen to the views of our child with respect in our decision making, and not to punish, blame or criticise them for any views that they express. I will listen openly to any messages our child may wish to be conveyed to us. We will listen to the views of our child with respect in our decision making, and not to punish, blame or criticise them for any views that they express.* I will listen openly to any messages our child may wish to be conveyed to us. We will listen to the views of our child with respect in our decision making, and not to punish, blame or criticise them for any views that they express. I will be open to hearing messages our child may wish to be shared with the Child Consultant. I agree to the conditions and expectations of the Child Inclusive Mediation process* I will be open to hearing messages our child may wish to be shared with the Child Consultant. I agree to the conditions and expectations of the Child Inclusive Mediation process.
