Finding out more about family mediation
Many websites and books give helpful information about divorce and separation, with sections which discuss family mediation. The short list below gives details of five websites and a book, all created independently of the UK College of Family Mediators, which give further information about family mediation. There are many others.
Websites
ADRnow is a website run by the Advice Services Alliance. It offers information on a large range of advice topics, including divorce and separation, and describes ways of settling disputes which avoid fighting in the courts. Its family mediation section describes some of the advantages and disadvantages of family mediation.
clsdirect (Community Legal Service Direct) is run by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) in England and Wales; its website information about family mediation includes a web version of the CLS leaflet on family mediation. The site also describes other LSC approved services and offers a directory for contacting approved practitioners (including family mediators) who can offer mediation supported by LSC funding. (CLS Direct can also be contacted by phone on 0845 345 4 345.)
The family mediation telephone helpline is organised by the government’s Department of Constitutional Affairs and the helpline website gives general information about family mediation, and about its availability in England and Wales. (The helpline can also be contacted by phone on 0845 60 26 627.)
The Scottish Mediation Network supports all forms of mediation in Scotland; its website gives information about mediation in general, and includes an example of family mediation.
Family Mediation Northern Ireland's website offers a brief description of family mediation and of its availability in Northern Ireland.
Book
Divorce for Dummies explains divorce and separation in an accessible way. It includes a section on family mediation. (Two of its authors hold senior positions in the UK College of Family Mediators). The authors consulted family mediators in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in the preparation of the book. (Divorce for Dummies by Thelma Fisher, Hilary Woodward, John Ventura and Mary Reed; John Wiley and Sons, 2004)