Child Inclusive Mediation

Separation affects the whole family, including children.  Child-Inclusive Mediation is a specialized form of family mediation that provides an opportunity for children, when appropriate, to have their views heard as part of the mediation process.  The purpose is not to ask children to choose between parents or to place responsibility for adult decisions on them.  Instead, children's perspectives can provide parents with important information about their experiences, concerns and hopes for the future.

Why include a child's voice?

Children may have important perspectives about the changes taking place in their family.  Giving children an appropriate opportunity to express their views can help parents better understand how family arrangements are affecting them and can support more informed parenting decisions.  Child-Inclusive Mediation brings those perspectives into the mediation process in a structured and child-sensitive way.

A Child-Centred Process

Children are not responsible for resolving their parents' disputes.  The purpose of child inclusion is to ensure that appropriate attention is given to their experiences and perspectives while adults remain responsible for making adult decisions.  Whether Child-Inclusive Mediation is appropriate depends on the circumstances of the family and the child's individual needs.