Mediation about children is supported by parents, the courts and government policy. To help parents access mediation the government provides fund to families coming to mediation about children. You can find out more about the MOJ voucher funding here
Parents and carers come to mediation to talk about a range of issues from arrangements for a very young baby to arrangements about where a child will live and how they will spend time in each parents’ care, arrangements for holidays or special occasions.
You and the other parent will take part in a one-to-one Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting, in this meeting we will explain the mediation process and you can decide on the basis of as much information as possible whether mediation is the right way forward for your situation. In the meeting we will talk about the best ways to keep you safe and which format will work best whether that is online or in person.
We will talk to you about whether the mediation will be joint, everyone in the same space or shuttle you and the other person in separate spaces. The mediator will decide with information from each of you the most effective and safest format for mediation.
Once it has been agreed mediation will go ahead, we will send out the Family Matters Agreement to Mediate and arrange your first and second mediation meeting. This is to ensure you have two meetings scheduled, one to discuss and implement options the second to review the progress made.
The number of meetings depends on your situation, before your meeting try to think about..
The mediation meetings are usually between 1-2 hours. After the meeting we will send out a mediation session overview. You can take this document can be taken to a solicitor to get legal advice.
If you both agree and the mediator thinks it’s is appropriate you child/children can be consulted as part of the mediation process. You can find out more about Child Inclusive Mediation here.
At the end of your mediation process, the mediator can prepare a parenting plan which can be taken to court and made into a legally binding order.
If agreement cannot be reached the mediator will send the necessary forms for application to court.
Top tips for parents who are separated.
The Family Justice Young People Board (FYJPB) members are children and young people with experience of family law proceedings. They have devised these to tips for parents to help them think about matters from their childs perspective.
