Mediation

Mediation is supported communication between two parties. At Family Journeys this means that a trained, qualified mediator is able to support adults, such as parents and/or grandparents to reach agreement on family matters after separation, including when and how to connect with children.

​The role of the mediator is to help prepare both parties for a mediation session, act impartially and maintain confidentiality. Their aim is to help both parents reach agreement, regardless of who approached Family Journeys with the initial enquiry.

Families may reach solutions after one mediation session or it may take several sessions.

​Family Journeys does not offer legal advice. On matters of finances or property, we recommend you seek the help of a solicitor.

Who can use mediation - who is mediation for?

Our mediation is for families with children of any age.

Usually, the parents come to mediation. However, it can be useful for us to hear children's views and bring these to parents' sessions.

A mediation is for both parents to come together with the help of a mediator.

If both parents are not sure about mediation, we can find other ways to help you communicate, or other ways to find solutions.

Parents may have had many different family arrangements: living together or apart, married, same sex partnerships, step-parents, and parents who have been absent for some time.

Grandparents may also benefit from mediation to find solutions to stay involved with grandchildren when parents have separated or are in conflict.

Mediation is ideally face to face, but can also work online. We ensure either method is safe for both parents, with clear ground rules.

​How does mediation work?

When an adult or young person first contacts us, we will ask for some information and advise you when the first appointment might take place. This is usually a telephone call with one of our trained staff who will call you at a time that suits you, and discuss your needs.

We will advise you of the range of services we can offer, and we can also help you access other organisations' services if you want this.

​Information session

This can be with only one family member or a number of different family members. If it is with one family member, we do not contact the other members until you are ready and want to proceed, and give your consent. Families who are facing separation or conflict often have different views. We are here to listen to everyone and to be impartial. Each person can call in separately if they want this reassurance.

We ensure every family's situation is treated as unique. Early in the process we will talk with you for around an hour - ideally in person but just now this can be by phone or online - to get a detailed picture of your needs. We will then suggest ways we can help so that family members can choose how they want to proceed. Sometimes people don't agree on whether to proceed. If that is the case, we will explore how we can help each person in other ways.

​If mediation is agreed as the best way forward, we will then contact the other family member(s), if they are not already involved in the discussion, and set up an initial session with one of our mediators.

​Sometimes one mediation session can be effective in finding solutions, but of course we are willing to have several sessions if this is needed.

​These can take place at different, safe and confidential venues around the city (including our offices on George Street in Edinburgh) and we do our best to agree times that suit everyone involved.

​Agreements reached in mediation are not legally binding. However it can help parents avoid the pain and stress of legal processes.

​Mediation can be revisited again if life circumstances change and support is needed to reach new solutions.

​Is there a charge for Family Journeys services?

We want to ensure support for families going through the stress and trauma of separation and living apart is accessible and affordable.

​If a solicitor is involved with your family, we may discuss how Legal Aid can be charged for the services you need and we can help you with this.

​Legal Aid can also support you avoid going to court. If using Family Journey services is helping you avoid this route, we may discuss it with you.

​Sessions decided by a court or social worker will be charged back to the court/social worker. This can include staff time for set up and for reporting if required.

​Fees...

Please see https://www.familyjourneys.scot/mediation-services.