Family Mediation

an illustration of of a child on a swing with a hand holding either side

Family Mediation

Child and financial arrangements after you’ve separated.

We’re now offering free family mediation at various locations across the North West.

What is Family Mediation?

Family mediation is a process to help you make arrangements for your children and/or shared finances after you’ve separated. We work with you and your former partner, and can work with other family members who would like contact with your children.

We support you to discuss things like living arrangements, contact with a child/children, holidays and special occasions, financial disclosure, divorce proceedings, and the division of assets.

We provide a confidential space for you to take practical steps forward as a family as amicably as possible.

Why choose mediation?

Family mediation aims to reduce the cost, pressure, and complications of separation. We help families avoid lengthy and costly court proceedings and try to reach agreements as amicably as possible.

Research has shown that arrangements made through family mediation reduce conflict in front of children and are more likely to be stuck to by everyone involved.

Choosing family mediation with TLC allows you to discuss important matters in a neutral environment with an impartial professional.

We manage conflict and guide you through all necessary processes.

If you would like more information please give us a call on 0161 872 1100 or email [email protected].

Key information

Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM)

We arrange an initial meeting to discuss your situation. This is called a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).

The MIAM can take place online or in person and is an opportunity for you to discuss with your mediator how the process can best support your family. Your mediator can provide legal information and signpost you to other helpful services.

If you wish to make an application to court, you must attend a MIAM to receive a signed form from a mediator. We can send this to you following your appointment.

Joint sessions

It’s normal to have 2-4 joint sessions following your MIAM. These sessions can take place online or in person.

If you are discussing finances, we will send you a financial disclosure booklet to complete prior to your joint sessions. We’ll help you exchange them, too. Financial disclosure booklets can be discussed in the MIAM and altered or added to throughout your joint sessions.

Mediation is voluntary you do not have to attend joint sessions if you do not wish to. You can discuss attendance with your mediator during your MIAM.

Funding options

We offer Legal Aid Mediation for people on lower incomes or receiving certain benefits. If you qualify for Legal Aid, we cover the entire cost of your mediation. If your former partner qualifies, you can attend your MIAMs and first joint appointment free of charge. Find more information about Legal Aid here.

Thanks to a government voucher scheme, you will receive £500 per family regardless of income towards the cost of joint sessions in which children are discussed. We apply the discount automatically on your behalf. You can find out more about the government voucher scheme here.

Alternatively, you can pay privately for family mediation.
Our private fees (inc VAT) are £119 per initial assessment meeting and £198 each per joint session.

Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM)

We offer Child Inclusive Mediation.

This is an opportunity for children to have a voice in the decisions being made where appropriate and following permission from both parents. It’s a confidential meeting and a chance for a children to express their wishes and feelings.

We can discuss Child Inclusive Mediation with you during your MIAM.

Where and when can I attend?

You can attend Mediation with us by online video call or you can attend in person at various offices across the North-West of England, Cheshire and North Wales.

We offer appointments during working hours and after 5pm on a Tuesday and Wednesday most weeks. Appointments are usually available within 10 days of you contacting us.

Feel free to call us to discuss these options and how to attend with us at your convenience.