Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: Support for child disputes

On 26 April 2021, the Family Mediation Voucher scheme was launched in order to assist families with resolving child arrangements issues at mediation without needing to go to court. The scheme allows families to access a contribution of up to £500 towards their mediation. 

What is family mediation?

Family mediation is a process involving an independent, professionally trained mediator who helps you work out arrangements with another participant, such as an ex-partner, where there is a dispute.

Mediation can support the parties in reaching a decision that is right for their family, whereas the court takes that decision-making power away and makes its own decision, which neither party may be happy with. Furthermore, mediation can often be a quicker and cheaper way of resolving disputes. The Family Courts are inundated with applications, and this has been exacerbated over the last few years. Indeed, it is unlikely that applicants will receive a hearing date earlier than six months after the date of the application. If an agreement is reached at mediation, the parties can then ask a court to consider their agreement and make it into a legally binding and enforceable Court Order by way of a Consent Order.

When you make an application for a Court Order in relation to many types of family law disputes, you must show the court that you have considered family mediation, by having attended a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) unless you are exempt. A MIAM is a short meeting with a qualified mediator where you will be provided with information about mediation as a way of resolving your issues. The mediator will assess whether mediation is an appropriate option based on your individual circumstances. 

In addition, as of 29 April 2024, parties are now required to consider non-court dispute resolution (NCDR) routes to resolving their disputes before making a court application unless they fall within one of the exemptions which have also been limited by the recent changes, under the changes in the Family Procedure Rules 2.3(1)(b). If court proceedings are started, both parties will be expected to complete a form and explain to the court the reasons why they are not engaging in some form of NCDR. Indeed, the court has the power to order the parties to consider the use of mediation as a method to resolve their dispute.  

Who is eligible for the mediation voucher scheme?

The scheme is available for families seeking to resolve private law matters relating to children. There is no financial eligibility test. The scheme does not cover the MIAM. The scheme will cover some of the costs of the parties’ joint sessions. 

Why has the mediation scheme been introduced?

The scheme was initially developed as a response to COVID-19 but has since been extended due to its success, without an end date being set. Indeed, research has shown that from the first 7,200 families to use the scheme, more than two-thirds reached an agreement without the need for Court intervention. The chair of the Family Mediators Association has noticed a considerable uplift in the number of separation proceedings being resolved through mediation since the scheme launched in 2021.

This article was originally posted on 6 August 2021 and updated on 22 January 2025.