What is the UK College?

The UK College of Family Mediators - established in 1996 - sets standards for family mediation and maintains a register of family mediator members who meet those standards; it works to promote best practice in family mediation and to protect the public.

Who are the College's members?

College members work in all parts of the United Kingdom. They are all mediators who have successfully completed approved family mediation training courses and work to standards which are laid down by the College. Family mediators in the UK College come from a range of different backgrounds - they may have previously trained as lawyers, counsellors, social workers or in other professional roles - but they all share a common commitment to promoting high standards for family mediation.

The College office

The College runs a small office in Bristol. The College office can supply details of how to contact family mediators on its register in any part of the country. The College office can also provide other information about family mediation.

What does the UK College do?

The College keeps a register of family mediators who are College members; it also helps members of the public seeking a mediator to contact its members. The College assesses newly trained mediators and approves the assessment procedures of other family mediation organisations. The College approves foundation and postqualifying training provided for family mediators. It also organises conferences for family mediators, produces documents and guidelines to support family mediators in their practice; it publishes a newsletter for members, and (jointly with Mediation UK) the journal Mediation in Practice. The College also represents the interests of family mediator members nationally.

How is the College organised?

The work of the College is overseen by its Board of Governors. The largest group of governors is elected by the College's membership. The College also works closely with other national family mediation organisations; ADR Group Family Mediation Training, the Family Mediators Association, Family Mediation Scotland, National Family Mediation and Resolution all have representatives on the Board of Governors, and on the Professional Standards Committee.