What is family mediation?

Family mediation is a voluntary process in which a trained, impartial third person (the mediator) meets with family members and helps them to communicate more effectively and to make their own arrangements for the future, particularly for their children. Mediation can help to minimise conflict, improve family life and help to avoid long, painful and expensive legal battles. The focus of family mediation is on putting children's needs first. Families can do this best by listening to them and trying to understand them.  

How can it help?

Family mediation can be a very useful way for some couples to sort out practical things when they split up - things like where the children will live, how to sort out the finances, and what will happen to the family home. Family mediation can help whether you are or have been married, co-habited or been in a civil partnership. Mediation can also help in many other instances where there are issues in family life including about child contact issues for grandparents, problems between parents and teenagers and within step-families.

 

What is the process?

Before starting mediation we will book you in for a mediation information and assessment meeting so that the mediator can find out more about the current situation and to discuss how mediation works and how it may help. We will also use this time to check out any safety or other concerns you may have and to complete a legal aid assessment. If all parties agree we will continue with the first mediation meeting and any subsequent meetings required.

Is it confidential?

Yes. Parents can talk freely and frankly in mediation.

 

 

As a not for profit service we keep our costs to a minimum and charge a fixed rate. Our fixed rate means that you will be fully aware of the costs as the fee does not change if mediation lasts for five hours or ten hours.