Child Inclusive Mediation: helping put your children first

It goes without saying, but children are particularly vulnerable to the impact of divorce and separation. Naturally, children will have concerns about the changes taking place in their family and will have worries about what lies ahead.
Family Mediation is not only a useful process for separating parents, but it’s also a process that children and young people can use too. This is called Child Inclusive Mediation.

What is Child Inclusive Mediation?

Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) gives children an opportunity to share their worries and concerns with a trained mediator, without the pressure of feeling responsible for any decision or feeling that they have to take sides.
This can take place whilst parents are in mediation. Your mediator will talk to you about how your children can contribute, and if you both agree, the mediator will arrange to meet with your children separate from the meetings between you and your ex-partner.
Child Inclusive Mediation can give your children a voice at a really difficult time. Whether your children have strong opinions or not, what is often the case is that a child’s concerns are different from separating parents. So, it can actually help separating parents to make more informed decisions for the future.

What are the benefits of Child Inclusive Mediation?

Although parents will still make the decisions, any child meeting with an accredited mediator can often help improve the situation for everybody. There are other benefits too:
  • It’s completely confidential and meetings are friendly and informal
  • Mediation can take place in-person or online
  • You can develop ideas and try out arrangements without being constrained by court orders or statutory involvement, such as local authority or Cafcass
  • It’s voluntary – each parent willingly volunteers to take part in mediation
  • It can give children clarity about the situation
  • Children often find it hard to explain their feelings to their parents for fear of upsetting them. Child Inclusive Mediation can help parents understand their children’s feelings, which without mediation they might never fully know
  • It helps develop new methods of communication, helping you to see the whole picture, so you can find better solutions for the whole family.
  • Accredited mediators can have ideas which will support children through the changes

How does Child Inclusive Mediation work?

1. Book a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting

The first step in Child Inclusive Mediation is the Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This meeting lays the foundation for the entire mediation process and help you understand how you can minimise court involvement and come to an amicable resolution. During the MIAM, our experienced mediators will:
  • Discuss how mediation works
  • Assess suitability
  • Discuss next steps
By the end of the MIAM, you’ll have a clear understanding of the mediation process and how it can benefit your family.

2. Consent from both separating parents

We’ll need all parties to agree to participate in child and parent mediation sessions. We can help advise on the best way to approach the other parent to mediate.

3. Child mediation session

Our fully trained Futures Family Mediation mediator listens to understand your child or children’s wishes, ensuring their perspectives contribute to the decision-making process.

4. Move forward with child arrangements and parent agreements

Come to an agreement that puts children first and allows them to have the best future possible.

Get started with child mediation

Our accredited mediator, Paul Richardson is specially trained to meet with your children. He can offer child consultation, speaking with your child or children separately in order to listen to their wishes and feelings.
Book a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) today. Email us at paul.richardson@futuresmediation.co.uk or call on 0115 648 2378 or 07745 144 815.