Family Mediation – Child Custody and Support, North West
Helping your family move forward in a way that considers the needs of everyone is the main goal of mediation. We are a team of legal professionals with experience in counseling, therapy, and the law, based in the North West. We have facilitated positive outcomes for thousands of families across Manchester, Liverpool, and the rest of the UK through our flexible online family and children’s mediation services. Friendly, approachable, and professional, your mediator is empowered to work around you and your agenda, with the best interests of your children at the center of the process.
When experiencing the emotional stress and financial upheaval of a separation or divorce, making important decisions about your future can be a hard road to navigate. With expert guidance on child custody and financial child support decisions, our family mediators will help you create a long-term plan in a calm, focussed and positive manner.
When you choose family mediation as your first option, you will receive support in areas such as:
- Child support agreements
- Child custody decisions
- Division of property, assets, and finances
- Drafting a parenting plan
- Child arrangement orders
- Living arrangements
- Conflict management
How does family and child mediation work?
Our family mediation services are a low-cost alternative that avoids court proceedings. It’s safe, unbiased, and brings quicker outcomes in a way that puts you in control. Our professional mediators will listen to both parties, taking into account your needs and your children’s needs in an empathetic and pragmatic manner.
From our base, located between Manchester and Liverpool, we are able to work with you wherever you are in the North West and beyond, thanks to our online service.
Our online service offers two options:
Face-to-face virtual mediation
With this option, family or child mediation meetings take place on a conference call. On the call, both parties can interact with each other in the presence of the mediator. This allows you to conduct the process in the comfort of your own home, or another chosen location. Picking the time that suits both parties will ensure that meetings are stress-free and on your terms.
Shuttle mediation
We understand that in the event of a separation or divorce, communication may be difficult, impossible, or emotionally unsafe, depending on your personal circumstances. Shuttle mediation is a service that allows you to come to a positive agreement without speaking directly to the other party.
Meetings take place with each party in a separate ‘room’ on the conference call. The mediator moves or ‘shuttles’ between the different rooms, so that each person has the space to speak freely, in a safe space where your mediator advocates for the interests of everyone.
Child Inclusive Mediation
Child Inclusive Mediation involves a family mediator who is trained as a child consultant talking with a child or children as a part of a mediation in which arrangements are being made for children. The government has suggested that children aged 10 and above should generally have access to a mediator when questions about their future are being resolved in mediation.
We have mediators who specifically trained to facilitate this process and speak with children in mediation.
The Family Mediation Process
Step 1 – Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM)
Before mediation can start, both parties must attend an initial meeting called a MIAM. This is to help us understand your and your children’s needs and circumstances and decide whether to pursue mediation as a solution. The MIAM will take place online via video call and can be attended separately or together.
Step 3 – Your Outcome
The goal of the mediation process is to create a tailored plan for how to move forward, whether you are drafting a Parenting Plan or a Child Arrangement Order.
A Parenting Plan is a set of guidelines set out by both parents on the best arrangements for childcare, child support and custody agreements and other practical factors.
A Child Arrangement Order is a legal document containing details for a child’s living arrangements, how much time is to be spent with each parent, and other considerations.
Step 2 – Mediation Meetings
After the initial meeting, the mediation process can begin. In most cases, two to three meetings is enough to reach a conclusion.
During the process, the mediator will listen to both parties during discussions about child support and other financial arrangements, as well as child custody, where applicable. They will create a supportive and calm space for everyone to have an honest and open conversation.
Step 3 – Your Outcome
The goal of the mediation process is to create a tailored plan for how to move forward, whether you are drafting a Parenting Plan or a Child Arrangement Order.
A Parenting Plan is a set of guidelines set out by both parents on the best arrangements for childcare, child support and custody agreements and other practical factors.
A Child Arrangement Order is a legal document containing details for a child’s living arrangements, how much time is to be spent with each parent, and other considerations.
Accredited Mediators
Mediation Solutions UK holds the following accreditations and qualifications:
- National Family Mediation (NFM)
- Family Mediation Council (FMC)
- Family Mediation Association (FMA)
- Members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)
Contact Us
If you are considering family mediation, our team based in the North West, between Manchester and Liverpool, will be happy to discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have.
To enquire, or book an initial meeting, call or email us on the contact details below.