Parenting Mediation
It's normal to worry about what impact your separation is having on your children and how they will adjust to the family’s changing circumstances. Research has shown that children adjust better when their parents can find a way to co-operate about parenting and to communicate without conflict. The Family Law Act encourages parties to resolve their differences through mediation, as it is quicker, more cost-effective and less stressful than going to court. This helps children manage better when it comes to moving on and settling into their new lives.
Parenting Mediation provides a safe and supportive environment for separated parents to discuss the care, welfare, and development of their children. Our goal is to help you reach a workable agreement that serves the best interests of your kids.
Parenting Mediation can help most people reach agreements in one or two sessions, avoiding the stress and cost of going to court. The process allows you to retain control of decision-making and to modify agreements as your children's needs change. When there’s a dispute over parenting matters, parties are legally required to attend Parenting Mediation before making an application to the Court for parenting orders (exceptions apply).
The Role of the Mediator
Our mediators work with you to resolve current issues, protect long-term relationships and help you to agree on strategies to communicate better in the future. Drawing on many years of experience working with separating families, our mediators will guide you through the mediation process and help you to reach agreements that are practical and sustainable. All our Family Mediators are registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners (FDRPs) and are accredited by the Attorney-General’s Department. This means all our mediators are authorised to issue Section 60I certificates.
The Family Mediator will work with you and your former partner to:
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Identify and clarify the issues in dispute
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Improve communication and build understanding
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Explore options that are workable
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Help you to agree on arrangements that are going to be in the best interests of your children
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‘Reality check’ to identify which options are most realistic
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Draft agreements that include specific actions and behaviours for the future
Parenting Mediation
The Process
Parenting Mediation is a simple step-by-step process designed to help separating parents reach agreements so that they can move on with their lives. You can attend in person or online, and with or without lawyers. Whilst not suitable for all disputes, Parenting Mediation can help most people reach agreements in one or two sessions.
Step 1: Attend a Confidential Pre-Mediation Interview
The mediator will speak to you and your former partner separately at a confidential pre-mediation interview. This session is conducted online via videoconference. The purpose of the interview is to allow you to meet the mediator and ask questions, make sure that Parenting Mediation is suitable for your situation, and to help you prepare for the mediation.
Step 2: Attend the Parenting Mediation
Both parties meet in person or online for a joint session of mediation. The mediator will help you keep on track while you explore the issues, examine options and identify possible solutions. There will also be breaks when you can speak privately with the mediator and your lawyer, if he or she is attending. Depending on the number of issues and their complexity, more than one session may be required to work through the dispute.
Step 3: Reach an Agreed Outcome
Agreements reached in Parenting Mediation can remain as ‘goodwill’ agreements, or they can be signed and dated to become a Parenting Plan under the Family Law Act 1975. Parenting Agreements can also be formalised into legally enforceable consent orders. Once approved, consent orders have the same legal effect as if they had been made by a Judge of the Court.
Areas we can help you with:
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Living arrangements
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Children's time with each parent
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Communication issues
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School holidays and travel
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Education, schooling and healthcare decisions
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Child support
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Children's expenses and school fees
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Same-sex parenting and donor conception
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New partners and blended families
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Relocation of a parent interstate or overseas