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When family issues arise, often those who are most affected are the children involved.
Mediation is an often-employed method of alternative dispute resolution that aims to help couples make decisions for the future, normally after the breakdown of a relationship.
Typically, it focuses on issues that affect both spouses, for example, child arrangements, financial settlements and what happens to any shared assets such as the family home.
In standard practice, mediation typically involves both parties attending various face to face talks, normally facilitated by a trained, impartial mediator. The goal of this is to facilitate productive discussions, hopefully resulting in mutually agreeable solutions to the latter issues.
Our team of highly qualified solicitors can provide assistance with matters pertaining to child inclusive mediation, such as conducting child interviews, child focused information gathering, advocating for children’s rights, education and guidance in relation to children’s law, mediation support, documentation and legal representation and post mediation support.
We are also happy to help with any documentation that needs taking care of, as we are aware that the last thing anyone wants to do when going through an emotional difficult time is deal with complex paperwork.
If you require assistance with any legal issues regarding child inclusive mediation, we encourage you to get in touch with one of our professional and friendly members of staff. You can do so by calling one of our offices in Chichester, Fareham, Havant or Petworth.
Alternatively, you can email us at hello@glanvilles.co.uk and a member of our team will get in contact shortly.
Our mediation solicitors are well versed in dealing with every aspect of relationship breakdown. We take a family-first approach combined with compassionate and practical advice to encourage an amicable separation. We also make sure to advocate for any children involved and often encourage parents to include them in the mediation process.
Of course, our mediators are highly trained and make sure to approach this situation delicately, so you know that your loved ones are in sensitive and qualified hands.
Going through any kind of separation is always difficult, but at Glanvilles we aim to make the process as smooth as possible. We work diligently to take the load off your shoulders so you and your loved ones can start moving forwards in your own time, with as little stress as possible.
With our expertise and dedication to helping parents through child inclusive mediation, we strive to create a supportive and child-centred environment, helping families to navigate through the most challenging times while safeguarding the well-being and best interests of the children involved.
The government suggests that, if there are children over the age of 10 involved in the breakdown of a relationship, they should then be involved in the mediation process and they should have access to a mediator when asked questions that pertain to their future.
The process of child inclusive mediation involves having a third-party family mediator who is trained as a child consultant to handle these delicate situations. Many believe that it is crucial for parents to understand and take into consideration the viewpoints, needs and desires of their children during this emotionally stressful time, and that involving them in the mediation process is a positive and proactive step to take.
Children tend to want to be informed and react positively to having their views and opinions listened to, although it needs to be stressed that they do not hold any responsibility for the overall decision.
Whilst these are all positive steps, having children involved in mediation talks can be complicated and this process requires a lot of detailed preparation before the mediator engages in conversation with a child. It is also important to take into account the age and maturity of the child, as well as getting the consent of both parents and the child beforehand. The final decision on whether to involve the child in the mediation process will fall to the mediator.
Overall, child inclusive mediation aims to give children a voice during the separation process, without burdening them with any responsibility.
Child-focused mediation is different from child inclusive mediation in the way that it is focused on encouraging parents to look past their disagreements and consider how their decisions will affect their children. The parties will often be educated to better understand how their separation could impact the general and mental health of their children, both in the short and long term.
The overall approach here is based on advocating for the interests of the children during the negotiation practice, but it does not directly bring in the involved children to voice their own opinions and views.
In comparison, child-inclusive mediation actively brings the child/children forward to be part of the conversation in order for them to share their opinions and views in the context of the separation. It also involves a direct assessment of children’s experiences of the separation and their relationship with each parent. Of course, this is done in a controlled setting with the help of a trained professional.
Overall, child inclusive mediation provides children with a means to express their worries and concerns during their parents' mediation process, without the burden of being accountable for decision-making or feeling compelled to choose sides. This approach allows children to have a voice and an opportunity to be heard.
We understand that as parents, your main concern will always be the wellbeing of your children. This is why at Glanvilles, we take extra steps to make sure that all children involved are fully protected no matter what the circumstances are.
Our mediation solicitors are all highly trained and qualified professionals, who take a sensitive and compassionate approach to each situation. We also put an emphasis on and explain clearly that whilst the aim of this process is to let the child express their views and opinions, they bare no responsibility for the end result, or any decisions made.
We also make sure to assess the child’s emotional maturity and mental state before involving them in the mediation process and have rigid checks in place to secure their emotional and mental well-being. With Glanvilles, you can be absolutely sure that your loved ones are in safe hands, as the welfare of our clients is our number one priority.
If you require any legal assistance regarding mediation, we encourage you to contact one of our expert mediation solicitors as soon as possible. Our solicitors have offices in Chichester, Fareham, Havant and Petworth, or you can simply email us at hello@glanvilles.co.uk.
Alternatively, you can also fill in our simple online enquiry form and someone will respond shortly.
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