Families benefit from government mediation scheme

Separating families will now have the opportunity to save hundreds of pounds and alleviate stress due to vital government measures. On 15 May, Justice Minister Baroness Levitt KC announced the extension of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme for an additional year, which provides families with £500 towards their mediation costs for resolving issues related to childcare and finances without the need for court intervention. Supported by over £7 million a year in government funding, the scheme has already assisted over 54,000 parents since its launch in 2021.

In addition to the financial support, the government has unveiled new digital tools on GOV.UK to help parents find assistance swiftly and effectively. These tools include the “Child Arrangement Planner,” a digital alternative dispute resolution service enabling families to agree on practical arrangements for their children, and the “Get Help Finding a Child Arrangement Option,” which acts as a triage service to guide users towards suitable resolution methods tailored to their circumstances. Furthermore, the GOV.UK content for separating families has been redesigned for clarity, ensuring that families can easily access the resources they need to resolve disputes outside the court system where appropriate.

The latest initiatives form a significant part of the government’s broader strategy to support families in overcoming the challenges of separation by facilitating quicker and more efficient resolutions. Justice Minister Baroness Levitt KC stated that “Separation is one of the hardest moments in any family's life. The last thing parents need is a slow, costly court fight that drags out the pain, particularly for their children.” She emphasized that the measures are designed to put families back in control, with a focus on providing straightforward online tools alongside clear advice on GOV.UK.

The efforts coincide with the government’s recent expansion of Child Focused Courts, which have demonstrated impressive results during their trial periods, leading to significant reductions in Family Court backlogs and faster case resolutions. In some pilot areas, backlogs have halved, and cases are being concluded up to seven and a half months quicker, thereby sparing children and families from prolonged uncertainty during a difficult time.