Family Archives - Access Mediation Services

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation In this resource, we look at the first stage of mediation after you have enquired with a mediation provider. This first stage is known as a MIAM, which stands for Mediation Information Assessment Meeting. So, first of all, what is Family mediation? Family Mediation is where a mediator, who is an […]

The College of Mediators

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation What is the College of Mediators? The college of mediators is an independent regulatory membership body for all types of mediation including family, civil, disability, workplace and community just to name a few. The college of mediators is also one of 5 national family mediation organisations in the UK, with the overriding […]

Family Mediation Documents Explained

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation In this resource we take a look at the final stage of mediation after you and your ex-partner have reached an agreement through joint sessions. Once you have completed the mediation process, the mediator will write all of your agreements up into a document. The name of these documents can vary […]

The Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (CAFCASS)

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation What it is CAFCASS was set up to be the voice of children in the family courts, and it places child welfare at the centre of all court proceedings. Not all family disputes will be overseen by CAFCASS as many families choose to resolve child arrangement issues through family mediation services, but it […]

What is a C100 used for?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation If a court is required to make an order in the form of a Specific Issue Order, a Prohibited Steps Order or a Child Arrangement Order, then an application must be made by filling out a C100 form. The C100 is relatively simple to complete. If you would like to see […]

What to Expect in a Joint Family Mediation Session

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation In this resource we look at the second mediation stage after you and your ex-partner have attended your MIAMs and you are entering into joint mediation sessions. If you would like to read more about Mediation Information Assessment Meetings (MIAMs), please click here. How does a joint family mediation session work? In […]

How the Family Court Works and Child Arrangement Orders

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Family Courts are there to make decisions around children and finances when a couple separates. When a relationship breaks down, there can be disagreements about how the finances are divided, how children should be raised, or whom they should live with. When all other resolution methods have failed, the court is […]

Assets, Finances and How the Family Court Works

Child Maintenance Service (CMS) Explained

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Child maintenance can be applied for through the Child Maintenance Service, where other options have possibly failed or are unsuitable. However, before an application can be made, you must speak to Child Maintenance Options to discuss alternative forms of obtaining maintenance for your child. Where this is not possible, they will […]

Child Inclusive Mediation. What is it?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Most parents’ main concern surrounding their separation relates to the effects it is going to have on their children, what is going to be in the best interests of their children, whom they should live with, how contact is going to work, how are the children going to cope with all […]

What is Shared Parenting?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation What is meant by shared parenting? Shared parenting, often referred to as shared custody, joint custody or shared care, involves the parents playing a significant role in their child(ren)’s life, providing them with love and guidance following separation. It does not mean allocating fixed amounts of time with each parent or […]

Parental Alienation Explained

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation In many instances of separation and divorce, where children are involved, parental alienation is a factor amongst parents. In this resource, we take a look at what parental alienation is, how it can affect the children involved and how it can be identified. Why do children resist spending time with a […]

What are the Family Mediation Membership Bodies?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation In this resource, we look at the five Mediation Membership bodies. The membership bodies have members from all different types of Mediation, including family, civil, workplace, and SEND. College of Mediators The College of Mediators was set up in 1996 as the UK College of Family Mediators in order to regulate […]

What is the Legal Aid Agency?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation The Legal Aid Agency provides both civil and criminal legal aid and gives advice to people that need help dealing with their legal problems. The agency is responsible for ensuring that legal aid services from both solicitors and barristers are made readily available to the general public. They also fund the […]

Preparing for divorce

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation The way in which divorce is portrayed can give very misleading impressions as to how divorce actually works. An example is that an actual court hearing is extremely unlikely in most cases. For most people undertaking mediation as a prerequisite, in general terms, before going to court, agreements about children, money […]

Everything You Need to Know About the Planning Together For Children Programme

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation The animosity and conflict that arises from separation and divorce can sometimes harm the children involved. Courses such as the Planning Together for Children Programme (previously known as the Separated Parents’ Information Programme SPIP) help you to minimize the effect that separation and divorce can potentially have on your children. This […]

How to complete a C100 application form

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Completing the C100 form can seem like a daunting task and can lead to many questions. It’s in your interest to make sure your C100 court form is as complete as possible before you send it off to court, so we’ve written comprehensive instructions on how to complete a C100 application, […]

What is Support Through Court ?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Support Through Court, previously known as The Personal Support Unit, was set up in 2001 after it was noticed that people without legal representation trying to navigate the court and legal system alone, were left helpless without any advice or support regarding the court system. The charity aims to support people […]

Finding Family Mediation Services

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation The professional family mediation sector still continues to develop its mediation practices under voluntary regulation across England and Wales. Year upon year, these developments continue to progress, which is positive. Unfortunately, as the sector has voluntary regulation, it does mean that there are bogus unethical mediators who don’t abide by a […]

What is the no fault divorce process?

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Who can get a no fault divorce? You can get a no fault divorce if: As of the 6th April 2022, you no longer need to assign blame to the other party. You can apply for divorce solely or jointly with your husband/wife. This makes it easier for those involved in […]

Grandparent’s Rights and How Family Mediation Can Help

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation People often assume that Family Mediation is for parties who are separating or divorcing; however, mediation is open for any family member, including grandparents. In this resource, we look at grandparents’ rights in mediation in regard to their grandchildren. Unfortunately, it is often the case that when a relationship breaks down, […]

Family Mediation and domestic abuse

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation This resource looks at the debate of whether family mediation is a suitable form of dispute resolution in family mediation cases where the element of domestic abuse is or has been present. Family mediation is increasingly the default option when it comes to family dispute resolution relating to child arrangements and/or […]

How to complete a Form A application form

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation On its face, the Form A can appear a little daunting, despite being a relatively short application form. Not only by the sheer number of tick boxes but also the fact that this can be a difficult decision to make in the divorce process when resolving financial arrangements. The Form A […]

Litigation versus family mediation

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Family Mediation has become an increasingly popular form of dispute resolution, as an effective alternative to the expense, length and unpredictability of litigation. This article looks at these two forms of dispute resolution, and their relative advantages and disadvantages. What is family mediation? Family mediation can either be seen as a process, […]

Managing Relationship Stress During the Holiday Season

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation Christmas is considered one of the most joyful times of the year, but there is no shame in admitting it can be one of the most stressful too! Relationships can be the support network for many people, and festive stress can be a significant burden for separated families. January 3rd is […]

About the Family Mediation Council

Quick Navigation Quick Navigation A guide by Access Mediation Services based in Worcester, providing mediation across England, Wales and internationally As a local firm, specialising in family mediation services in Bromsgrove, Redditch and across the county towns of Worcester and Hereford, we offer you this free guide about the Family Mediation Council: The Family Mediation […]

Family Mediation Legal Aid

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme

What to expect in a MIAM (Mediation Information Assessment Meeting)