A guide to the Family Mediation Voucher scheme

Family mediation is *one * of the many ways you can use to agree on how you will look after your children or split your finances when you divorce or separate. It’s a way of sorting things out without going to court, and also helps you stay on good terms and limit conflict between you and your ex.

What is the Family Mediation Voucher scheme?

In March 2021, the government launched a Family Mediation Voucher Scheme for parents looking to sort out childcare arrangements without going to court. The scheme was set up in response to Covid-19 to ease pressure on the family court by encouraging more separating couples to consider alternative ways of resolving their disputes, where appropriate.

How does it work and how do we apply?

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is time-limited. The government will contribute up to £500 towards the costs of mediation, if you're eligible. You may be eligible for the voucher if there is:

• a dispute or application about a child
• a dispute or application around financial family matters relating to a child
• Both people must agree to take part in the mediation

It’s first-come, first-served and only mediators authorised by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) are taking part in the voucher scheme.

Are there other ways to agree and arrange our financial/childcare arrangements?

If you are looking for support to sort out either childcare or financial arrangements without going to court, then amicable offers a range of options. All amicable's divorce-diagnostic are designed to help promote your co-parenting relationship, put your children first and stay out of court. Our specially trained divorce coaches work with you and your ex together, something lawyers are not able to do. We work with couples like a mediator, but we will also complete all your paperwork (like a solicitor) to turn your agreements into legally binding documents, something a mediator does not do.

Read our guide on all the options available to divorcing and separating couples here.

How amicable can help

• amicable now accept the Family Mediation Voucher scheme. Book a call to understand how we can help
• Download the amicable co-parenting app from the Apple or Google Play Store
• Online co-parenting coaching
• Online separation coaching
• Online divorce coaching
• Divorce divorce-diagnostic with negotiation support and a written consent order (legally binding order)
• amicable write-up service (for people who have reached agreement and want to make it legally binding)

amicable's coaches are experts in helping couples. Our approach to divorce and separation allows you to stay in control of the process and make decisions that are right for your family rather than creating two separate, warring sides or have a judge make decisions for you.

You’ll have support and guidance from one coach, and you'll hear the same advice about how to navigate your divorce from them. So no confusing contradictory information from different sources.

It can be hard to work together when emotions are running high, but with amicable’s coaches on hand, we will help manage the emotional journey and create a safe space so you can work things out as parents and learn new ways of communicating now that your relationship has changed.

On a practical note, all amicable’s divorce-diagnostic are fixed price and include VAT so you’ll know what you’re paying before you start. You can find out more about amicable’s divorce-diagnostic here and find out more about the government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme here.