The Family Mediation Trust (TFMT) has recently announced that the Family Mediation Council (FMC) has been awarded funding through the Family Mediation Impact Fund to develop a ground-breaking resource aimed at strengthening domestic abuse screening and assessment within family mediation.
This initiative will provide family mediators with a standardised tool to assess the suitability of mediation for separating couples, ensuring safe and effective mediation practices for all participants.
Currently, all Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) include domestic abuse screening to prioritise safety.
However, this new project will equip mediators with enhanced tools, training, and guidance to assess risk more effectively and offer better support when abuse has been part of the family dynamic.
By strengthening these screening processes, mediators will be better positioned to make decisions about whether mediation is appropriate and, if so, how to manage it safely.
The project will also address key concerns such as the balance of power between parties and ensuring that mediation remains a structured, supportive process. Crucially, this approach will help keep children at the heart of mediation, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to prioritising their needs and wellbeing.
This progress is welcome and important in family mediation, which serves as a non-confrontational process for many families navigating separation, helping them find fair and constructive solutions. This project will strengthen mediators’ domestic abuse screening so they can thoroughly assess whether mediation is a safe and appropriate option for couples where domestic abuse is a concern.
With funding now secured, the FMC have begun developing the screening tool this spring, working closely with family mediators, domestic abuse experts, and sector specialists to ensure it is both practical and effective.
The tool will be integrated into the national training framework, ensuring that all FMC-registered mediators receive comprehensive training on its use.
This will be delivered through the family mediation training provider network, embedding best practices into both initial training and ongoing professional development (CPD) by the end of the year. This initiative marks a significant step forward in strengthening family mediation practices across the country, reinforcing the profession’s commitment to safety, fairness, and the wellbeing of families.
Our family mediators are experts at handling all aspects of relationship breakdowns, taking a family-focused approach that encourages separating couples to find the best possible solutions. We are also able to offer child-inclusive mediation.
Rebecca Eels
Partner
Stone King LLP
