Ourkidsfirst mediation is committed to supporting all separated couples regardless of any factor and provide family mediation services including conducting MIAM( Mediation Information & Assessment Meetings) , Child, Financial and All issues mediation to those who are on very low income or universal credit.
It is important to think about a range of services to support following a separation and when conflict occurs and this can include :
- Relationship Counselling ( if applicable) link: British Psychotherapy Foundation
- Child & family Therapeutic Support Link: Family Separation Clinic
- Legal Aid Solicitors Link: Gov.uk
- Parenting support Link: Togetherness
- Interpretation services if English is not your first Language Link: ITI
- Advice on what to tell the children. Link: NSPCC Guidance
- Financial Services Adviser Link: FCA Register
- NAACE Child Contact Centre Link: NACCC
- Cafcass Parenting support Link: Cafcass
Important Information
It is important to know before starting mediation:
- Mediation is completely voluntary and your mediator is impartial – they will not take sides.
- Mediation is not arbitration or court and the mediator will not give legal advice or tell you what to do or how strong your case is. ( that is a Solicitors role).
- You will have a 1 to 1 confidential ( except for safeguarding / money laundering) meeting with a mediator called a MIAM. This is to ensure mediation is suitable and to prepare you for mediation and consider what other help/ factors need to be considered.
- If you both are willing and mediation is suitable will move forward to either online/ remote or face to face in person mediation. Both online and in person mediation can be either a joint ( both in same room) or shuttle ( separate rooms) mediation. No one will be forced to be in the same room as the other person.
- You are able to take notes in meetings but not record them. Once you are in a mediation, your mediator will write a summary of the key points discussed and any options considered and agreed.
- If you are not satisfied with the service from us, you may contact us to see if we can listen and resolve any issues informally, however if this is not possible we have a complaints policy available from admin@ourkidsfirst.org.uk we will also send your a feedback questionnaire.
- If one person decides to withdraw from mediation and/or mediation becomes unsuitable . the mediator can only send an email informing that “mediation is no longer suitable at the present time”. Your mediator will not engage in questions, emails , messages discussing your case except for logistical issues around the meeting(s).
- If you are mediating in respect of financial matters, it is important to remember that if you leave mediation and seek help at court legal aid then you may have to pay some or all of your legal aids costs back under the statutory charge. You should speak to your legal aid solicitor about this. The regulations can be found here : .gov.uk
Useful sites
| Advicenow.com | Divorce and separation | Advicenow |
| Judicial advice from the Lord Chancellors Dept. | pd-what-the-family-cts-expect-from-parents.pdf |
| Families & youth Justice Board Top Tips | Top-Tips-for-parents-who-are-separated.pdf |
| Family Lives help | Parenting and Family Support | Family Lives |
| Financial Matters – Sorting out finances on Divorce | 1.-Sorting-Out-Finances-on-Divorce-2024.final-for-publication.pdf |
| Support through court | Home – Support Through Court |
| Domestic abuse support for women | Refuge, the UK’s largest specialist domestic abuse organisation |
| Domestic Abuse support for men | Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men | Men’s Advice Line UK |
