Child Inclusive Mediation - new FMC report

In family mediation, any child aged 10 may be consulted as part of the process. Children have a right to have their views taken into account by the parents when making decisions for them. This is called ‘Child-Inclusive Mediation’. Research shows that consulting children about their views during family separation is helpful and benefits their mental health. It’s important for them to know their voice has been heard when parents make decisions which affect them.

Hearing the voice of the child

The regulator of family mediation, the Family Mediation Council, has published a fresh report on the benefits and considerations for including children in the process.

"Family mediation offers a clear structure to allow the voice of the child to be heard when

families are making decisions that affect children. This sets it apart from other forms of

NCDR.

"Following the Voice of the Child report, the FMC acted to implement the recommendations it had direct control over, with one notable exception.

"Actions taken included:

• amending the FMC Code of Practice to say ‘The Mediator must encourage the

Participants to consider the children’s wishes and feelings. 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’

• updating and enhancing the training required for mediators who consult with children

directly (‘child-inclusive mediators’ or ‘CIM’) and requiring all mediators to undertake

additional training in awareness and understanding of child-inclusive mediation

before achieving FMCA status

• introducing continuing professional development requirements for child-inclusive

mediators

• publishing professional standards for child-inclusive mediation

• creating a searchable database of mediators who are qualified to conduct child inclusive mediation.

"The recommendation not implemented by the FMC was to arrange for children to be

consulted where a participant to the mediation (typically a parent or caregiver) didn’t

consent to this. The reason for requiring the consent of both parties, even where the child

was capable of expressing their own views, is that the voluntary nature of mediation

would mean where a participant did not agree to a child being consulted, the participant

would withdraw from mediation thereby concluding the process."

Accessing Child Inclusive Mediation

Online Mediation currently covers the cost of Child Inclusive Mediation for our clients, to make it easier and more affordable to have children's voices heard where appropriate. There is also Family Mediation Voucher funding, so do contact us if you have any questions. The first step in mediation is always an individual session with the mediator, often called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). Book online here.