Family Mediation Training Contract Grant Scheme launched

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) has launched a £100,000 Family Mediation Training Contract Grant Scheme this week.

The scheme aims to increase the number of family disputes resolved via mediation by investing in the next generation of family mediators to ensure current growth is sustainable in the years ahead.

The package represents a commitment by the LSC to support a trainee mediator and the organisation through both the Family Mediation Foundation Training Programme and the Competence Assessment Portfolio, in order for them to qualify to undertake publicly funded family mediation.

The grants will be targeted to those services most in need and who are best able to support the development of a trainee. Grants will also target certain areas of the country where the LSC wants to improve access to mediation through service expansion. Grants will be awarded to services which can demonstrate strong working relationships with local members of the family justice system, high levels of quality through supervision and positive outcomes for clients.

The application process will be open for just over 5 weeks and will close at 5pm on the 16th January 2009.

Further details, application forms, scoring criteria and general Information for Applicants can be found on the LSC website.