Compulsory mediation proposed for separating couples

The proposal, which is set out in Support for All: The Families and Relationships Green Paper, will be under consultation until spring 2010, and could form part of a drive to reduce disputes between separating couples.

Other measures include new pilot projects worth £4.75m, which will trial local support services for separating parents, such as counselling and legal advice.
The government also plans to provide online mediation services for families and will work with the Family Mediation Council to improve existing accreditation schemes for mediators, to boost public confidence in the service.  

The green paper includes further proposals to support children and families deal with relationship breakdown, with the government planning to produce a guide for children and young people whose parents are separating or divorcing, in partnership with the Kids in the Middle campaign.

New Parenting Together Apart pilots will test sessions for separating couples, designed to help them overcome the difficulties of parenting when separated.
The Targeted Mental Health in Schools Programme will also provide counselling support to children in schools.

Children's Secretary Ed Balls warned that family break ups could have a devastating impact on children's lives and their future relationships.

"While family relationships are very private matters, there is a role for government to help families find ways to resolve conflict faster in order to limit the negative impact on children's wellbeing," he explained.

"Many separating parents struggle to establish contact agreements, to communicate effectively with one another and to continue to parent co-operatively. That is why we are giving parents better information about mediation earlier on in the separation process so that we can help families, especially children, through this difficult time."