Every month, we will be sharing all the exciting things occurring within the FMA. This is the best place to find out what is happening in the FMA community, and a great opportunity for us to share relevant information and connect with our FMA members.
We hope you enjoy!
Sadly, one of our Vice Presidents of long-standing Lord Mackay has died, he will be remembered by the FMA as a good friend of family law and mediation. He was one of the very first Pioneers and supporters of family mediation. Beverley remembers him as an energetic soul sprinting up the stairs at the first FLIP offices. He came to annual conferences and dinners for FMA and the last one he attended was at the University Women’s Club in London which was hosted by another of our very supportive VP’s Judith Timms.
The Standards and Documents Committee has finalised the PPC Consultancy Agreement, which is now available for members.
The agreement has been developed to support Professional Practice Consultants (PPCs) and mediators by providing a clear framework for consultancy arrangements, helping to promote consistency and clarity in professional practice.
As this is a member resource, the document is available exclusively through the FMA Members’ Area.
A number of resources continue to be added and updated within the Members Area.
The guidance previously referred to as “Beginning Guidance Note Regarding Confidentiality Before Mediation Sessions Begin” has now been renamed:
MIAMs – from initial enquiry to meeting
Members will receive further information about this resource by email in the coming weeks following a final review.
Please remember that these resources are intended for FMA members only and should not be shared publicly.
The Family Justice Council (FJC) is pleased to inform you that the Disclosure to Children and Young People guidance has now been published and is now on the FJC website (Disclosure to Children and Young People – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary). This guidance is for young people who want to know what was said, or written, about them in files held by the courts, Cafcass, or a local authority. The guidance will also be useful to professionals helping young people to access documents. Please note that the guidance and process maps do not include disclosure in adoption cases.
The guidance follows the suggestion from Mrs Justice Knowles that children and young people wanted to know how to access documents from cases that had been about them. In summary, the guidance clarifies the existing regulations, statutes and support available to young people when seeking disclosure and the effects disclosure may have on a child or young person. It includes Public Law and Private Law process maps that provide the steps required to request the information.
Justice Select Committee Report on Access to Justice: Legal Aid
We recently shared details of the Justice Select Committee’s report on Access to Justice: Legal Aid.
The FMA is carefully considering the findings and how best to respond on behalf of members. We will continue to keep you informed of any developments.
The Separated Parenting Programme Directory is a valuable tool for signposting clients to additional support.
It brings together trusted parenting programmes designed to:
• Improve communication
• Support children’s wellbeing
• Build co-parenting confidence
➡️ https://separatedparentingprogrammedirectory.org/
A useful complement to mediation practice.
Don’t forget to book your place on our upcoming professional development courses. Full details of all upcoming training events can be found on the FMA Training Hub.
We look forward to welcoming you to future events and thank you, as always, for your continued support of the Family Mediators Association.