Exciting News: Family Mediation Voucher Scheme Extended to March 2026

I am thrilled to share the fantastic news that the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme (£500 towards the costs of substantive joint mediation per family where there are child arrangement issues to sort out) has been extended for another year, now running until March 2026.

This significant development was confirmed by Lord Ponsonby, the Minister responsible for family justice, during a pre-Family Mediation Week reception hosted by Family Law in Partnership and arranged by the Family Mediation Council (FMC).

Ensuring Accessible Mediation for Families

Stephen Burke, Chair of the FMC, celebrated the extension, emphasising its impact on helping families reach agreements without the need for court intervention. He stated, "The FMC welcomes its extension, not least as this will continue to ensure that families on low incomes can access mediation to help them resolve conflict."

Additionally, the Minister reinforced his and the government’s commitment to family mediation, signalling efforts towards securing multi-year funding. This highlights the importance of the data gathered from the scheme, which consistently demonstrates the effectiveness of mediation in resolving family disputes outside of the courtroom.

Family Mediation Week 2025: A Timely Opportunity

The launch of Family Mediation Week on Monday, 27th January arrived at a pivotal moment, with fresh funding and increasing recognition of non-court dispute resolution. With supportive court regulations in place and government sponsorship, family mediation is gaining prominence as a preferred method for conflict resolution in family law cases.

Ahead of the event, the FMC commissioned a poll to assess public awareness of mediation. Encouragingly, 66% of respondents acknowledged mediation as an option for resolving parenting, financial, and property issues during separation or divorce.

While 45% stated they would consult a lawyer first, 30% indicated they would seek guidance from a family mediator. These findings reflect positive progress, but also underline the need for continued education about mediation’s advantages.

Catch Up on the Insightful Webinars

Family Mediation Week 2025 featured a dynamic line up of webinars, panel discussions, and educational sessions on mediation. If you missed any live events, don’t worry - recordings, along with those from 2024, are available on the FMC’s YouTube Channel. These free sessions catered to the public, legal professionals, and mediators, with the goal of broadening awareness and understanding of family mediation.

Key Benefits of Family Mediation

As we celebrate this extension of the £500 family mediation voucher scheme and reflect on Family Mediation Week 2025, it’s important to recognise the core benefits of family mediation:

• Cost-Effective: Mediation is often more affordable than litigation, saving families significant legal expenses.

• Faster Resolutions: Mediation can resolve disputes quicker than court proceedings, helping families move forward sooner.

• Less Stressful: A collaborative approach fosters a less adversarial and more amicable resolution process.

• Focus on Children’s Well-being: Mediation prioritises the best interests of children, helping parents maintain cooperative co-parenting relationships.

• Empowerment and Control: Unlike court-imposed decisions, mediation allows families to actively shape their own agreements and future.

If you're interested in learning how Holistic Family Mediation & Coaching can support you and your family through separation or divorce, please visit our FAQs page for more information. Alternatively, you can book a Free Discovery Call via our services page.

For personalised support on your separation or divorce journey, I am here to guide you as your dedicated holistic life coach. Together, we can navigate this path with grace and empowerment. To get started, complete and submit the Coaching Referral Form. You can choose to pay for coaching on a pay-as-you-go basis for individual sessions or purchase a package of six sessions for the price of five via our services page.

If you are ready to begin with my family mediation service, please complete and submit a Self-Referral Form and book your initial Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting (MIAM) online. We will then reach out to your ex-partner (unless requested otherwise) to encourage their participation, highlighting the benefits of family mediation: lower costs, staying in control, and achieving a quicker resolution compared to court proceedings.