Kinship
Care
Mediation
With members located all around the UK you will be able to find a mediator who c
Specialist family mediation to help kinship carers and parents communicate, navigate changes in family relationships and make decisions that support children.
an help you through this tough time. Click the button below to get started.
With members located all around the UK you will be able to find a mediator who c
Specialist family mediation to help kinship carers and parents communicate, navigate changes in family relationships and make decisions that support children.
an help you through this tough time. Click the button below to get started.
For parents and kinship carers
Understand how mediation works and what it can offer your family.
For local authorities and professionals
Information about specialist mediation and the Kinship Local Offer.
What is kinship care mediation?
Kinship care is when a child is cared for by a relative or family friend rather than by their parent. This may be a grandparent, aunt, uncle, adult sibling or another person close to the family.
Kinship care arrangements provide children with stability and the opportunity to remain within their family network. However, these changes can be challenging for everyone involved.
Parents and kinship carers may have different views about arrangements for children, communication, boundaries, parenting decisions and their respective responsibilities. Everyone wants the best for their child but finding a way forward together is not always easy.
Kinship care mediation provides a confidential, neutral setting in which family members can talk about their concerns, improve communication and make practical decisions about arrangements for children.
Mediation is voluntary. The mediator does not take sides or make decisions for the family.
How can mediation help?
Depending on the family’s circumstances, mediation may help parents and kinship carers to:
Is mediation right for every family?
Mediation is not suitable for every family. An accredited family mediator will carefully assess each family’s circumstances, including any safeguarding concerns, before deciding whether mediation can proceed.
Why specialist kinship care mediation?
Kinship families often face circumstances that are different from those encountered in conventional family mediation.
Changes in caring arrangements often bring many different emotions and challenges. Parents may be adjusting to no longer caring for their child day to day, while kinship carers may be taking on an unexpected parenting role. Both may be managing significant changes in their family relationships.
There may also be experiences of trauma, involvement with children’s services, existing court orders or concerns about the child’s safety and wellbeing.
Mediators working with kinship families need to understand these circumstances, recognise the different perspectives of those involved and adapt their approach to meet the unique needs of kinship families.
Find a family mediator who has completed specialist kinship care mediation training
This directory identifies mediators who have completed the FMA’s specialist kinship care mediation training, helping families and professionals find mediators with additional knowledge of kinship care.
Completion of the training does not constitute a separate specialist accreditation. Families and professionals are encouraged to discuss a mediator’s experience, availability and fees directly with them.
Kinship care mediation and local authorities
In England, local authorities are required to publish a Kinship Local Offer setting out information about support available to kinship families.
Specialist training for family mediators
The Family Mediators Association (FMA) offers specialist kinship care mediation training for qualified family mediators.
The four-part course covers the unique needs of kinship families, trauma-informed practice, safeguarding, communication, conflict management and adapting the mediation process to support kinship families effectively.