Child Inclusive Mediation for Solicitors
Giving Children a Voice in Child Arrangements Disputes
What Is Child Inclusive Mediation?
Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) is a recognised family mediation process that gives children an opportunity to express their wishes and feelings about arrangements affecting them following parental separation.
Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognises a child’s right to be heard in decisions affecting their lives. UK family procedure guidance also encourages children’s appropriate involvement in dispute resolution away from court.
Within this model, Child Inclusive Mediation can operate alongside solicitor-led negotiations, providing a safe and neutral space for children’s voices to be heard and considered when decisions are being made.
This process is not evidence gathering and does not replace legal advice or court proceedings.
2Mediate provides Child Inclusive Mediation to support family solicitors and separating parents involved in child arrangements negotiations. This structured process allows children to share their views safely with an independent accredited mediator, helping solicitors advise clients and progress child-focused agreements outside court.
Working alongside solicitor-led negotiations, Child Inclusive Mediation introduces the child’s perspective in a professional, neutral and carefully governed way — without parents needing to engage in full mediation unless they choose to do so.
Benefits for Families and Children
Children feel heard safely and appropriately
Parents gain insight without placing pressure on children
Decisions better reflect children’s lived experience
Conflict can reduce through improved understanding
Potential for faster and more sustainable agreements
Who This Service Is For?
This service is designed for:
Family solicitors negotiating child arrangements matters
Parents already legally represented
Cases where mediation is not currently underway
Situations where understanding the child’s experience may assist settlement discussions
Families seeking child-focused solutions without court escalation
How Child Inclusive Mediation Works
Solicitors Introduce the Process
Both solicitors discuss Child Inclusive Mediation with their clients and explain its purpose, benefits and voluntary nature.
If both parents agree, a jointly instructed Child Inclusive Mediator is appointed.
2. Separate Meetings with Each Parent
The mediator meets each parent individually to:
understand family circumstances
carry out safeguarding and suitability screening
explain confidentiality and professional boundaries
obtain informed parental consent
Children are never asked to make decisions or choose between parents.
3. Joint Solicitor Meeting
A short meeting with both solicitors ensures:
clarity of roles and expectations
agreement around confidentiality
understanding of the solicitors’ listening role
planning of feedback arrangements
4. Meeting with the Child
The child is invited to meet the mediator and may choose whether to participate.
During the meeting, children can talk about:
how separation is affecting them
what is working well
any worries or difficulties
what they would like their parents to understand
The child decides what information may be shared with parents.
5.Feedback Session with Parents and Solicitors
The mediator provides verbal feedback only, sharing the child’s agreed views.
Parents attend together or separately.
Solicitors are usually present in a listening role.
Solicitors do not participate during feedback.
Hearing the child’s voice directly enables clearer, more informed legal advice.
6.Solicitor Negotiations Continue
Following feedback:
the mediator steps back from the process;
solicitors continue negotiations; and
parents decide whether further mediation would be helpful.
Participation in mediation remains entirely voluntary.
Benefits for Family Solicitors
Child Inclusive Mediation supports solicitors by:
providing direct insight into children’s experiences
strengthening child-focused legal advice
reducing misunderstandings between parents
supporting negotiated outcomes
helping avoid unnecessary court proceedings
aligning with best practice encouraging children’s participation in out-of-court dispute resolution
Professional Safeguards
Child Inclusive Mediation is conducted in accordance with professional standards set by the Family Mediation Council and Family Mediation Standards Board.
Key safeguards include:
Accredited Child Inclusive Mediator
Independent and neutral process
Strict confidentiality boundaries
Feedback shared only with the child’s permission (subject to safeguarding duties)
Verbal feedback only — not evidence for court use
Children retain control over what is shared
Is Child Inclusive Mediation Evidence for Court?
No. Child Inclusive Mediation is not an expert assessment and does not produce evidence for court proceedings.
The purpose is to support parental understanding and assist solicitor negotiations by sharing children’s perspectives within a confidential mediation framework.
Working with Family Solicitors
I work collaboratively with family solicitors to integrate Child Inclusive Mediation into ongoing child arrangements cases where hearing the child’s voice may assist progress.
I support solicitors and their clients across Reading, Henley, High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, London and surrounding areas, offering both online and in-person meetings.
Arrange a Conversation
If you are a family solicitor interested in using Child Inclusive Mediation within your cases, we would be happy to arrange:
an introductory discussion,
a short team briefing, or
an informal conversation about a suitable referral.