CHILD INCLUSIVE MEDIATION
Child Inclusive Mediation
Are Child-Inclusive Mediation Specially Trained?
Yes. All child-inclusive mediators and Child Consultants are specially trained. I attended my child inclusive training with highly respected Dispute Resolution specialist Jon Graham and Child & Family Therapist Dr Lorri Yasenik from Yasenik Graham.
Why Is Child-Inclusive Mediation Important?
A safe space where children’s voices are heard. Providing an opportunity for children to chat with a Child Consultant and for parents to receive feedback relating to their children while making parenting arrangements in mediation. Child consultants are specially trained in ensuring children’s voices are heard, with the resulting feedback from these sessions becoming a valuable way for parents to understand what’s working well and what’s not working so well for their children. This enables a child-focussed, well informed mediation that allows both parents to consider their children and make informed decisions relating to their care.
From a cost point of view, child-inclusive mediation is far less costly than the cost of going to court, where there is a high chance you may be ordered to attend a child-inclusive conference anyway.
How Is Child-Inclusive Mediation Different to Court Ordered Child Inclusive Conference?
Child-Inclusive Mediation
is confidential as per section 10 H and 10 J of Family Law Act 1975. Except for issues relating to Children at Risk. Nothing from the mediation can be used as evidence in court. The big difference is that children and parents are in control of the process. Both for short and/or long term.
Child-Inclusive Conference (court ordered)
is not a confidential process. It is compulsory. A Child-Inclusive conference is a preliminary and limited assessment, intended to assist the Court to make shorter terms orders, and to decide on the best way for the matter to proceed. Parents are not in control of the outcome. The Court decides the future of your children.
What Happens During the Child Meeting?
I will meet with each child twice, on two separate occasions. Each parent brings the children to a session on separate occasions. Each parent remains present in the initial process where I explain to the children what the process will be on that day. The Parent (and other children) then leave, allowing time for the child and I to proceed. I usually spend between 30 to 45 minutes with each
child. I would normally see all children from the family on one day.
I then spend time with each child drawing, playing and talking, using techniques that are age appropriate. Children are never put in a position where they feel pressured to answer any given question or to answer a question in any particular way. They are not asked to make decisions or to experience the feeling of having to choose between their parents. Children are simply given the opportunity to talk about and/or show ‘what it’s like to be me, in my family, at this particular point in time’. Special care is taken to provide an environment that feels safe and welcoming. I will respect any concerns children may express about reporting back any sensitive matters to the parents.
What Will It Cost?
- Initial Intake Assessment with each Parent costs $220 per hour.
- The cost of meeting with each child, each session is $220 (GST Incl.) Total cost of $440 per child. The cost is usually shared between the parties, equating to $220 each party per child.
- 4 hour Mediation (including reporting outcome of meeting with the children to parents upon commencement of mediation) $440 each party. Additional time is charged at $220 per hour (shared between the parties).
