Family Mediation Week: Parents urged to consider mediation as a way to build a positive future for their family

80% of parents who participated in mediation said communication with the other parent had improved

Parents living in Scotland are being urged to consider mediation as a way to resolve conflict and create a more positive future for their family. The calls come as Family Mediation Week gets underway, running from 27th to 31st January.

Relationships Scotland is the country’s leading relationship support charity. Figures from its  Measuring Outcomes Report 2023-24 show that 80% of parents who participated in mediation said communication with the other parent had improved, while 88% saw a reduction in conflict after mediation. Furthermore, 97% would recommend the process to others. 

Relationships Scotland is encouraging couples who are considering separation or divorce to seek an alternative to a courtroom confrontation to settle parenting arrangements.

January traditionally sees an increase in the number of parents deciding to live apart as the various pressures that go hand-in-hand with the Christmas period act as a final straw for their relationships.

Janie Law, Head of Practice for Mediation at Relationships Scotland said: “Often families who are experiencing challenges in their relationships will automatically think of court as their only option to resolve these difficult issues, but mediation can be hugely beneficial in helping separating couples agree what works for them, whilst avoiding the court process with all the stress, delay and cost it can bring.

“Family Mediation Week is about raising awareness of the benefits of mediation as a way of helping parents make decisions together, which can result in more positive outcomes for the whole family that would be the case with court action.

“Here in Scotland we find that parents in this position simply don’t know which way to turn. Their life-changing decision to separate brings with it so many tough questions: Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them? How will we sort out the money issues? What about debts and pensions? And even the family pet?” 

Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally-trained mediator helps separating or separated couples work these things out, enabling them to avoid courtroom confrontation. Professional mediators help empower families to take control of their individual circumstances, rather than leaving it to a court to make decisions on their behalf.

A parent who has been using mediation added: “We are talking in mediation now. It’s completely changed days between us.

“I couldn’t have imagined us being able to do that when we started. We can be civil now and focus on the children together.”

The Scottish Government fund Relationships Scotland to provide family mediation at low cost where children are involved, and Legal Aid may also be available.

Anyone wanting to know more about the benefits of family mediation can visit www.relationships-scotland.org.uk or call 0345 119 2020.

Family Mediation Week takes place from Monday 27 – Friday 31 January 2025.