Tuesday 28th January 2-3pm
This session focuses on the role of Child-Inclusive Mediation (CIM) as being key in family mediation where there is a dispute about child arrangements. We will discuss the opportunity that CIM offers by supporting children to express their thoughts and feelings during family disputes, especially when parents are separating or divorcing. We will take this opportunity to share feedback from over 20 children who have been consulted this year. We will highlight how CIM ensures children’s voices are heard in a neutral and safe environment, and share the feedback from children and young people who have participated in CIM.
Key Points Covered:
- The purpose of Child-Inclusive Mediation
- The CIM process
- The value of listening to children’s perspectives
- Children’s Feedback
- The impact of CIM on outcomes for families
Participants will leave with a greater understanding of why it is so important to ensure the rights of children and young people are upheld, alongside how the CIM process works.
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Mabel Edge is an experienced Family Mediator and PPC, and has developed and now manages one of the largest family mediation services in England and Wales. Mabel was formerly a manager in Children and Young people’s services, and brings a wealth of experience in working with children and young people, managing youth advocacy and mediation services, and working with families in a Child Protection environment. Child Inclusive Mediation is one of the core elements of the practice that Mabel has developed, and the service sees over 15 children every month, as well as supporting other practices to ensure that they can offer CIM.
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Dr Catherine Frances gained an MA and PhD in international child abduction, models for co-parenting with associated law and psychology, and worked for the United Nations University in Japan before returning to the UK. She is accredited by the Family Mediation Council to mediate all issues, and is a Board Member of the Family Mediators Association, a Child Inclusive Mediator, Integrated Mediation Practitioner and a Professional Practice Consultant, specialising as a secondary PPC to mentor WTA mediators through their portfolio to accreditation. She co-authored ‘Going it Alone: How to set up and market a family mediation business’ and contributed case studies to Lisa Parkinson’s recently published ‘Conversations with young people in family mediation’. Catherine was a Finalist at the National Mediation Awards 2022, and her company, Stratford Family Mediation, was a winner at Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards. Catherine is a Taekwondo black belt, an enthusiastic amateur gardener (Chair of the local gardening club), and everyday plays badminton with her son and walks her beloved dogs, Betsy and Tuppence. |
