£500 support to help separating parents
If you are separating from your partner did you know that you can access £500 towards the cost of helping you to work out the arrangements for your children? This funding is available for you following the government’s recently announced extension of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
The funding is designed to help separating parents work out the arrangements for their children without needing to incur the time, stress and costs of going to court.
The government has confirmed a one-year extension to its Family Mediation Voucher Scheme (which first launched back in 2021), offering funding for separating parents to help them make agreements using family mediation.
My colleagues and I at Family Law Partners wholeheartedly welcome the extension. I’m a Law Society accredited mediator and member of Resolution and the Family Mediation Council. I’ve already seen first-hand the benefit of the scheme and this extension will help more families make arrangements more quickly and with less stress.
Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally trained mediator helps separating parents work through decisions together. The £500 voucher can assist in helping you try mediation rather than face the cost, delay and emotional strain of going to court.
Obtaining the voucher is straightforward. Before mediation can start, you need to have an initial meeting – this is called a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MAIM). In this meeting the mediator will explain the process. If you decide to proceed with mediation, and are eligible for the voucher, your mediator will apply for the voucher funding and it will be paid directly to them. You will not receive a physical voucher and you will not need to make an application for it.
Mediation helps put parents in control. It can help you find practical, long-term solutions that work for your own circumstances, rather than having decisions imposed on you by a court.
Separating parents often have many difficult questions issues to sort out such as
Many parents understandably often don’t know where to start. The voucher scheme means more parents can access support to work through these issues together in a child focussed and constructive way.
Analysis of the first 7,200 users of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme showed 69% reached a full or partial outcome in relation to the arrangements for their children away from court.
As part of the mediation service I provide, I work closely with a Family Consultant and Child Inclusive Mediator, to help ensure separating parents are provided with a proactive and holistic approach to working out parenting issues that can arise when parents separate.
If you would like to find out more about family mediation please contact us for a confidential discussion about your circumstances.
Gemma Hope is a Director, Solicitor, Mediator & Collaborative Lawyer in our Brighton office.