What is Child-inclusive Mediation?
Child-inclusive mediation is where a mediator will meet with your child or children to ensure that their voice is heard when you are resolving family issues or disputes.
If both parents agree to the mediator meeting the child, the mediator will have a confidential conversation with children so that the children are given an opportunity to share their thoughts, views and concerns with the mediator in a confidential environment.
The mediator and children will agree on anything that the children would like to have shared with the parents and this will then be fed back to the parents to help inform their decision making and approach to issues in mediation.
Our approach
Our accredited and trained child-inclusive mediators are able to integrate working with children into the mediation process. When parents in mediation have children, normally when they are at least 10 years old, it is generally our preferred approach to give children an opportunity to be heard.
As a firm we work with children on a huge range of issues, whether in the context of neglect or abuse, relocation or child arrangements. We bring that expertise and experience to our approach to seeing children. We understand and recognise how important it is that children are given an opportunity to be acknowledged and to have their voice heard when their parents are separating.
Research clearly shows that children exposed to conflict are more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, academic failure, substance abuse, behavioural problems, peer problems and hindered brain development. By way of contrast, parents who take actions to reduce children’s exposure to conflict between parents have positive long-term outcomes, including in relation to mental health, behaviour, school outcomes and long-term relationships of their own. It is now widely recognised that it is beneficial for children to be given a chance to have their voice heard.
Adopting approaches to shield children from exposure to conflict is critical to our approach as a firm to resolving family issues. We support families to encourage and facilitate hearing the child’s voice when it is possible and in their best interests to do so. Our child inclusive mediators are accredited and trained to meet with children to ensure their voice is heard in a child-focused and sensitive way.
Contacting us
If you would like to meet with one of our mediators or simply discuss the process further, then please get in touch using whatever method is easiest for you. You can use the form on our website or email us at mail@goodmanray.com. Alternatively, feel free to ring us on 020 7608 1227 or you can call the mediator at Goodman Ray directly using the direct dial on their profile.
