Child Inclusive Mediation

Family Mediation is one of our core services. One of our fully qualified mediators, Sarah Mellish, is capable of providing Child Inclusive Mediation to parents.
We can offer this service as a package.

Child-inclusive mediation provides opportunities for children and young people to have their voices heard directly during the process of mediation, to help them feel respected and listened to and, at their request, to assist parents or carers to receive, understand and take account of the child’s messages and/or suggestions regarding decisions and arrangements for the child.

“All children and young people aged 10 and above should be offered the opportunity to have their voices heard directly during the Mediation, if they wish.” – (FMC Code of Practice, s. 5.7.2)

  • The child or young person participates voluntarily, with the informed consent and support of both parents (or those holding PR).                                                      Child-inclusive mediation cannot be ordered by the courts.
  • Conversations with a child or young person in the course of mediation are confidential and are not reportable to the court or to                                                      third parties except a) where there are safeguarding/ child protection concerns or b) where, in exceptional circumstances, the law
    imposes an overriding obligation of disclosure upon the mediator or c) where the child or young person requests the mediator                                                      to share specific messages with their parents/carers during mediation.
  • The mediator must remain impartial in meeting with a child or young person and must remain neutral as to the outcome of the                                         mediation. The mediator does not represent the child or act as the child’s advocate.
  • Decisions remain with the child’s parents (or others holding PR). Children and young people may make requests and offer                                                              suggestions, but they are not asked, or given power, to make choices or decisions.

If you would like to get more information on this, or any other form of mediation with us, please do call us on 0300 200 0025

Here is a link to Cafcass advice on supporting you child/children through divorce or separation.