FAMILY MEDIATION

CONNECT

Communicating with family members or ex partners whom you normally have no or little contact with can be overwhelming and even traumatic.

However, sometimes contact is essential to come to agreements.

I offer mediation for families and couples who find direct communication impossible, we start with a problem and end with a solution, no matter how fractured your relationship.

CALM

I facilitate clients to express themselves without fear of reproach or volatility. I protect clients from unacceptable conduct, and encourage respectful discussions, with the issue at hand at the centre of the session.

Clients can expect to have a safe space in which to resolve issues calmly.

types of mediation

  • If you are and your partner are thinking about separation or are about to separate/divorce, the arrangements regarding children can be tough to resolve.  Custody, contact and living arrangements are just some of the issues that must be decided. 

    If you have not been able to come to an agreement between you, mediation may be the next step, to avoid the stress and expense of allowing the court to decide.

    In a calm and respectful environment with full accountability, you will be encouraged to agree (on a temporary or permanent basis) on what arrangements are in the best interests of the child/children.

  • So, you have just separated. Where do you both live? Who stays in the familial/joint home? And who has to find somewhere else to go?

    This is a tough issue, however, with practicalities and good reasoning at the forefront of the discussion, and taking into account the negative effects of living in a stressful environment, couples are encouraged to agree on a temporary or permanent basis.

  • Parents and guardians are not the only people who can suffer at the hands of a separation.  Extended family may feel excluded from younger children in their family, and if communications have broken down with one or both parents, mediation can be a great way of connecting extended family, and coming to a contact agreement that will benefit children and all parties.

  • Families can experience conflict for a variety of reasons. 

    Family members can fall out over money, living arrangements, care arrangement for sick relatives, as well as more personal issues. Mediation can help bring families to a resolution on issues that may have spiralled out of control.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The first step is to make contact with me via the website.  You can tell me the issue you would like to resolve and ask me anything you would like to know about the process. 

If you choose the mediation process, you can contact the other party/parties to invite them to mediate, or I can do this for you.

I would then conduct a 60 minute consultation (this is also called a MIAM, a Mandatory Information & Assessment Meeting) with all parties separately and prior to the mediation session.  During the consultations, I will be gathering information chiefly about the position of each party, and to assess whether mediation is appropriate.

Mediation takes place with all parties present, and during this 75 minute long session:

1 – Parties clarify issue to be resolved.

2 – Parties determine what they do agree on.

3 – All parties are invited to give their position on issues in dispute.

4 – Possible agreement points are discussed.

5 – Agreement or partial agreement is reached.

6 – Parties agree to honour agreement.

7 – If another session is required, points for further discussion are identified.

FAQ’s

  • No. Agreements that are made are expected to be honoured by all parties, however, parties can withdraw from an agreement at a later date if it the outcome is not used to inform a court approved child arrangements agreement, financial agreement, or other relevant agreement. 

    Agreements made during mediation are documented by me and issued to all parties and can be used as evidence of a prior agreement if you should find yourselves in further dispute or court proceedings.

  • You may be eligible for the £500 government voucher scheme which can be used towards mediation - link here: Mediation Voucher Scheme

    However, I am unable to accept voucher scheme applicants until 2026.

  • Regrettably, at this time I am not able to accept legal aid applications.

  • Generally speaking, I would not advocate mediation for parties who have experienced domestic abuse at the hands of one of the parties.  This is due to the risk of further harm taking place during mediation.

    Please contact me to discuss your situation in this case.

  • Some clients simply do not want to face their ex partner or indeed a family member with whom contact has been historically difficult.  If parties agree, mediation can be arranged separately, where parties would only speak with me.  Please contact me to discuss.

  • If a party is resisting mediation, I can assist by opening up communications with other parties.  However, ultimately, the decision to mediate is down to all parties agreeing to do so.

  • Unfortunately, I cannot currently facilitate in-person mediation.  However, remote mediation can present less barriers to mediation and provide a less overwhelming space for clients.

  • If an agreement or partial agreement cannot be reached in one session but parties feel they may be able to resolve issues in further sessions, they can be provided.

  • I am working towards accreditation from National Family Mediation, and will be fully accredited in Spring 2026.

FEES

FIRST CHAT & miam CONSULTATIONS

£100 per person

An introductory chat, and 60 minute consultations with all parties (videocall or phonecall)

There is absolutely no obligation to continue if party/parties do not wish to go ahead.

session

£300 for full session

1 x 75 minute session with all parties (videocall or phonecall)

This includes a written summary of the session post session, to clarify what was discussed and agreed.