The separated parents service is funded by the Health and Social Care Board to encourage separating parents to engage in the mediation process before considering applying to the Courts.
The aim of mediation is to improve communication, reduce conflict and to find agreement on practical, workable arrangements for the future, taking into account children’s views and feelings. Our focus is on putting children’s needs first and making separation less stressful for the whole family.
Although mediation is primarily for couples whose relationship is over, it’s for all sorts of families – married or unmarried, divorced, separated or never having lived together, younger or older – and for anyone in your family. Parents, grandparents, step-parents other significant adults, children and young people can all participate in family mediation.
We must remember that conflict is normal in families, and it can arise for a number of different reasons seeking help to get some extra support to find a good way forward is also normal!