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Mediation Matters: Including children in family mediation
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Justice Minister Simon Hughes ruffled a few feathers last summer in a
speech when pledged to give children over the age of 10 the right to be heard in courts when family disputes are being settled. In doing so he also vowed to make the voice of the child a central part of the family mediation process.
For some practicing mediators especially those new to a profession in which they are undertaking training this seemed a promise too far. It’s challenging enough to mediate the differing interests of a couple to make settlements on property finance and children. Bring children themselves in to the process and the dynamics become way too complex their argument seemed to be.
But as the founders of child inclusive mediation and as the nationwide organisation that has pioneered and evolved the practice NFM warmly welcomed the commitment.
It’s something we’ve been working at for over 30 years since NFM’s formation so naturally we are pleased that the Government has now given this undertaking. These measures will help give the child the right to shape his or her own future when the family breaks down.
As the Minister said too often...
Read the full article here.
