Child-inclusive mediation means the process or meeting between parents and children to decide kids’ future when separated. This meeting occurs when both partners want separation and have children or any assets to be divided and to determine the children’s future. Third-party sits with them to agree on the children’s life, school admission age, religious thoughts, residence, and holiday meetup, when, where, and how much time a child can meet both parents. Child-inclusive mediation is an important process for children in which they can share their thoughts and views and raise their voices for the future.
How much is a mediation session in the UK?
In the UK, a mediation session is not free of charge, but it’s much cheaper and quicker than a court hearing the case. You must pay around £600 to £1000 per person and session. If you are low in income, you can get a free MIAM and a £500 voucher in the scheme at GOV.UK. Some mediators offer the 1st session and introductory meeting free, but you must pay for the 2nd session if you do not reach an agreement in the 1st session. Legal aid can be obtained in case of low income, and both partners can get legal assistance if eligible according to the law. But if one partner is unsuitable for legal aid, he must pay for mediation sessions.
How long does a mediation session take?
The answer to this question varies in different situations and cases. Sometimes the mediation session resolves the issue in 4 to 5 hours, and sometimes it takes the whole day to reach an agreement. The more complex and conflicted the matter is, the more time and sessions it takes. Regarding child-inclusive mediation, it becomes more complicated if both parents do not agree on the child’s future and have severe conflicts and views. Mediation sessions sometimes resolve the issues of both partners in no time if they come with the willingness to agree.
Who pays for mediation session costs in the UK?
Both parties pay for the mediation session in the UK. It costs differently if you involve a solicitor in the session for legal advisory or legally binding. If one party is eligible for legal aid in the UK, they can get free mediation sessions. In some cases, one party pays on behalf of another for the mediation session to resolve the problem quickly. The mediation session costs less than the court hearing and hiring a solicitor in the UK.
Child mediation questions to be asked
Child-inclusive mediation is confusing, as sometimes you don’t know exactly how the child feels about their parent’s separation. As a child mediator, you must cope with a child’s psychological needs and behaviors. When a mediation session involves the children, a mediator should have a confidential meeting to know about the conflicts in their minds.
In the child mediation process, a mediator may ask these questions:
- With whom does the child want to live in the future?
- Where does he want to spend the holidays?
- When does he want to go to school?
- Which religious thoughts does he want to follow?
- Who will handle the financial needs of the child?
- In other family members, with whom does he want to meet?
The UK government considers the kids’ age in the child mediation process. A child of 10 and above can participate in the debate during a mediation session. He can speak about his conflicts and thoughts about the future. He can decide the fate and tell the mediator to sort out their problems.
FAQ
Q: What is child-inclusive mediation?
A1: Child-inclusive mediation is a process that involves bringing children into mediation sessions with their parents to better understand their needs and concerns during a divorce or separation.
Q: How does it help?
A2: Child-inclusive mediation helps to ensure that the needs and concerns of the children are heard, considered and addressed during a difficult time of parental separation. It can also allow children to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
Q: Who can use it?
A: Child-inclusive mediation can be used by couples going through a divorce or separation with children in common. It can also be used by couples considering separating but have yet to make any final decisions.
Q: How does it work?
A: The mediator works with parents and their children to create a safe and secure environment where all involved can communicate openly and honestly. The mediator will facilitate discussions between the parents and children and help them to come up with solutions that address the needs and concerns of everyone involved.
Q: What are the benefits of using it?
A: The benefits of using child-inclusive mediation include providing a safe space for children to express their thoughts and feelings, helping to create an understanding of all parties needs and concerns, developing parenting plans that support the child’s best interests, reducing the amount of conflict and contention between the parents, and providing an opportunity for ongoing communication and cooperation between the parents.
Parent Separation Stats UK
| Information | Percentage/Figure |
| 89% of PWC were female | 89% |
| 87% of PWC were under the age of 50 | 87% |
| 88% of Non-Resident Parents (NRP) were male | 88% |
| 79% of NRP were under the age of 50 | 79% |
| 80,000 children moved out of absolute low-income before housing costs | 80,000 |
| 140,000 children moved out of absolute low-income after housing costs | 140,000 |
Conclusion
After a discussion on child-inclusive mediation, we reach the point that this is a compulsory process to settle down the things and decisions about the children’s future. This mediation process can save both parties time and money. Child-inclusive mediation helps the child put their feelings before a qualified and sensible mediator. The mediator then can pass the child’s thoughts to the parents and help them make the right decision for the child’s future life.
