Family Mediation Council registered mediators are trained to the same high standards and follow the same Code of Practice, but come from a range of backgrounds and professions. As part of Family Mediation Week 2022 we are introducing you to a few mediators who describe how they came in to mediation and their experience of the role.
Sally Stokes
I began my career in Social Care in 1998, as a Family Support Worker supporting children, young people and families offering parenting advice and practical support. I then went on to complete my Social Work Degree and Post Qualifying Award in Social Work in 2001, specialising in Child Protection and Safeguarding. I have worked in the public, private and voluntary sector.
Throughout my social work career, I have seen how parental separation can impact on children when parents who are in conflict cannot work together in moving forward. I have also seen the reverse of this when parents have been willing to adjust to a co-parenting relationship, with children being at the focus and centre of all their decision making.
I began working with an organisation delivering the Parenting Apart Programme and this inspired me to complete my mediation training. In July 2021 I qualified as an accredited family mediator. Working towards and beyond accreditation has allowed me to grow as a mediator and to further develop my mediation skills as well as drawing on my social work knowledge and experience.
I remain very passionate and enthusiastic about making a difference to children’s lives. I believe that working with children and parents at the earliest opportunity to overcome challenges they face during separation and divorce is a significant way to engage, support and empower parents to come up with their own solutions, build resilience and improve potential outcomes. Listening to children’s views and wishes and giving them an opportunity to have a voice in mediation is something that I advocate, and I am looking forward to becoming a Child Inclusive Mediator.
I am surrounded by such supportive colleagues and PPC that have all been great role models. Co-mediations have been invaluable as my colleagues have been able to share their wealth of knowledge and experience, providing continuous guidance and support.
