Family mediation in England & Wales

If you're going through a separation in England and Wales, family mediation can be a helpful way to sort things out with your co-parent, especially around childcare arrangements. The Family Mediation Council can help you find an accredited mediator who's right for you. You might also find it useful to speak with Relate, who offer relationship and family counselling support for separating couples and co-parents. For practical guidance on how to make arrangements for your children when you separate, have a look at the Gov.uk page on child arrangements.

If you need legal advice or want to understand your options more fully, the Law Society's Find a Solicitor directory will help you locate a regulated family law solicitor in England and Wales.

In England and Wales, mediation is built into the court process itself. Before you can apply to court about arrangements for your children, you will usually need to show you have at least found out what mediation involves. There is also government money available to help with the cost, which many separated parents never hear about. Here is how it works.

• If you decide to go to court, you will usually need to show you have attended a mediation information and assessment meeting, known as a MIAM, before you apply. You will not have to in some circumstances, for example if there has been domestic abuse (gov.uk).
• The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme contributes up to £500 towards mediation costs in eligible cases involving children. You do not apply yourself; your mediator applies and the money is paid directly to them (gov.uk).
• A MIAM usually costs around £120, and legal aid can cover the MIAM and mediation sessions if you are on a low income (gov.uk).
• An agreement reached in mediation is not automatically legally binding. To make it binding, a solicitor drafts a consent order and you apply to court for a judge or magistrate to review and confirm it (gov.uk).
• Worth knowing: the £500 voucher is a one-off contribution per family case, so it goes towards your mediation sessions rather than covering everything (gov.uk).

Checked August 2026 against gov.uk.

Mediation is a voluntary, confidential way to sort out arrangements without going to court. A trained, neutral mediator helps you both reach your own agreement.

• It is usually quicker and cheaper than court, and you can stop at any time.
• Sessions can be held separately if being in the same room is difficult.
• The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice.
• You can still get your own legal advice alongside mediation.