WHAT IS FAMILY MEDIATION?
A constructive way to move forward after separation
Family mediation provides a structured and confidential space for you to discuss the issues that matter following separation, with the support of an impartial family mediator.
It can help you work through arrangements for your children, finances, property and other practical matters, without the mediator making decisions for you.
The aim is to help you communicate, understand the issues that need to be resolved and explore possible ways forward.
What can Mediation help with?
CHILDREN & PARENTING
Mediation can help parents discuss arrangements for their children, including where they spend their time, holidays, communication, schooling and other important parenting decisions.
The focus is on helping you consider arrangements that work for your family and keep your children's needs at the centre of discussions.
FINANCES & PROPERTY
Mediation can help you work through financial matters following separation, including property, mortgages, savings, pensions, debts, income and future financial arrangements.
Your mediator supports you both in identifying the issues that need to be considered and exploring possible ways forward.
WIDER FAMILY MATTERS
Family mediation isn't only for separating couples.
It can also help with disagreements or difficult conversations between parents and adult children, siblings, grandparents and other family members, as well as other practical family matters.
Mediation provides an impartial space for everyone involved to be heard, understand each other's concerns and explore whether a way forward can be found
HOW MEDIATION WORKS
01 - START WITH A MIAM
Each participant usually attends their own private Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
This is an opportunity to talk about your circumstances, understand the mediation process and consider whether mediation may be suitable
02 — BEGIN MEDIATION
If mediation is suitable and everyone wishes to proceed, your mediation sessions can be arranged.
At the start of the process, the mediator will help you identify the matters you would like to discuss and agree how the mediation will take place.
03 — DISCUSS & EXPLORE
Mediation gives you both the opportunity to discuss the issues that matter, consider relevant information and explore possible ways forward.
Your mediator will help keep discussions focused and balanced but will not take sides or make decisions for you.
04 — RECORD THE OUTCOME
Where you reach proposals or arrangements through mediation, these can be recorded in the appropriate mediation documents.
Your mediator will explain what those documents mean and any further steps you may wish to consider, including obtaining independent legal advice where appropriate.
MEDIATION CAN BE FLEXIBLE
Mediation does not have to look the same for every family.
ERS Mediation offers online mediation via Zoom. Sessions may take place with both participants together or, where appropriate, using shuttle mediation, where participants remain in separate virtual rooms and the mediator moves between them.
The way mediation takes place will be discussed with you and will take account of your individual circumstances.
YOUR FIRST STEP
The first step is usually an individual Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
Your MIAM gives you an opportunity to speak privately with your mediator about your circumstances, understand the mediation process and consider whether mediation may be suitable for you.
MEDIATION STARTS WITH A CONVERSATION
If you would like to explore whether family mediation could help, complete our short referral form and ERS Mediation will contact you about the next steps.