Family conflicts are common disagreements that may come about due to differences in opinion, values or personalities. Resolving family conflicts through Family Relationships Mediation can lead to stronger relationships and improved communication.
Please note – We do not provide Family Mediation for separation and divorce. This is a separate area of Mediation and has a different focus and purpose. Please see the Family Mediation Council Website for more information or to find a registered Mediator who may help you with this.
We understand that emotive situations can be very overwhelming and daunting.
To help you decide whether Mediation is the right next step for you, we’ve put together a list of our most frequently asked questions.
We are also more than happy to have a call to discuss your situation and how we might be able to help.
The Mediator will meet people separately before continuing to a joint meeting.
Usually, a Family Mediation will take place over one day with individual meetings in the morning and the joint meeting in the afternoon. However, where availability does not permit, we may schedule these meetings on different days with the aim of conducting the joint meeting at the earliest opportunity.
At the start of the joint meeting the Mediator will ensure everyone knows what will happen and set some expectations.
Each person will have some allocated time to say what their main concerns are and what they hope to gain from the Mediation. The Mediator will help individuals decide what issues they will focus on during the Mediation.
Individuals will then speak directly to each other and talk through each area with the aim of finding a way forward together.
The Mediator will assist when required to ensure a constructive and productive conversation. If necessary, breaks and side meetings with everyone may be had.
At the end of the meeting any agreement points will be revisited and refined so that parties may clarify what happens next. This may be written up on an ‘agreement form’ so it can be referred to or shared with others.
In a word, No.
Mediation is self-determined, meaning those involved in the dispute make the decisions. Any agreement is made in good faith, and it is individuals’ responsibility to hold themselves accountable for achieving outcomes.
During the Mediation participants will discuss how to handle things if the outcomes are not met or are drifting away from what was agreed. A contingency plan will be agreed, and individuals will follow this. This may include a further meeting with the Mediator.
Where the contingency plan breaks down, alternative options should be discussed with the appropriate person or agency.
We will follow up at 6 weeks post Mediation to see how you are getting on.
A consolidation meeting may be agreed prior to or at the time of the Mediation which can enable further collaboration based on progress over an agreed amount of time, usually 6 – 8 weeks. This is a further meeting with the Mediator which may last 2 or 3 hours.
It is rare that individuals are unable to reach a consensus once they get to the joint meeting.
The Mediator will use techniques and strategies to assist individuals to move through the conversation, however it may be that they are unable to reach an agreement if they are not ready or something arises that acts as a barrier to progression or productivity.
The Mediator will discuss with the individuals, whether together or separately, what they will do next and what they would like the referrer (if there is one) to know. All parties will leave with clarity on their next steps and if needed the Mediator will meet with people individually to discuss this further.
The focus of Family Relationships Mediation is on those involved in the conflict having a direct conversation in confidence so that they may reach a mutually agreeable outcome.
Other people being in attendance may impact on individuals being open and honest and thus hinder the process.
If felt necessary, a third party may attend the individual sessions but will not be permitted to attend the joint meeting.
Admittance of an additional person will only be considered where individuals require specific adjustments which necessitate the services of another, such as an interpreter.
The format and timing of Mediation meetings may vary based on need and will be agreed as part of the initial booking process. Individual sessions are usually 1.5 hours long. The joint meeting is usually scheduled for 3.5 to 4 hours. We may not use this time, but it is important all parties are available for this timeframe.
The person who referred you will arrange a room somewhere neutral and confidential. Ideally this should be away from your home and allow for privacy. Access to refreshments and facilities should be available to make the experience more comfortable.
We recognise this is not always achievable and will work with the referring organisation where needed. As a minimum the location must ensure confidentiality.
If you have referred yourself, we will agree on the location and format together.
Yes, Family Relationships Mediation may be carried out online, in person or as a combination of both. For example, individual meetings may be completed online and the joint meeting attended in person.
For multi-party Mediations we recommend a face-to-face joint meeting, for groups larger than three.