Family Mediation is increasingly being used by separating couples and families across the UK. In April 2024, the Ministry of Justice reported that over 27,000 separating families had been supported to use family mediation through the family mediation voucher scheme, highlighting the growing role mediation plays in resolving family disputes constructively.
For many people going through divorce or relationship breakdown, choosing or being encouraged to choose family mediation is now the norm. While mediation offers a more collaborative and cost-effective alternative to court proceedings, it is natural for participants to wonder whether the process is actually making progress once sessions begin.
Mediation rarely delivers immediate solutions in a single meeting. Instead, progress is usually gradual, built through open discussion, improved understanding and incremental agreements over time. With that in mind, there are several clear indicators that can help you assess whether your family mediation is moving in the right direction.
Why are more families choosing family mediation?
Family mediation provides separating couples with a structured, neutral environment in which to resolve issues such as child arrangements, financial settlements, and future planning. It encourages communication, reduces conflict and often allows families to reach an agreement more quickly and cost-effectively than traditional litigation.
Government support, including the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, has also made mediation more accessible, reinforcing its role as a preferred dispute resolution option for many families.
Is family mediation supposed to feel difficult at first?
It is important to set realistic expectations at the outset. Family Mediation is a process, and it is relatively rare, although not impossible, for a single session to result in a complete resolution.
Progress is usually incremental. Participants should expect gradual movement towards agreement, occasional setbacks and ongoing refinement of proposals. Mediation focuses on building shared understanding and practical solutions step by step, rather than achieving immediate outcomes.
Signs that family mediation is working
Once mediation is underway, there are often positive indicators that the process is progressing constructively.
- Communication is improving: both during family mediation sessions and outside them. Conversations become more respectful, with more time spent on listening rather than speaking.
- The focus shifts towards the future: participants start to look ahead rather than back at past disagreements.
- Practical agreements are being kept: incremental or interim arrangements are agreed and, crucially, adhered to without being revisited in each session.
- Body language and atmosphere improve: negative non-verbal cues, such as eye-rolling or shielding postures (e.g., crossed arms), may occur less frequently, and sessions feel calmer and more productive.
- Financial disclosure is open and timely: financial information and disclosure are provided willingly and comprehensively, helping participants make informed decisions.
- Participants are open to expert support: they are willing to consider involving specialists, such as pension-on-divorce experts or child-inclusive mediators, where appropriate.
- Sessions take place promptly and regularly: taking time to consider options and obtain independent legal advice can be very helpful, but participants avoiding undue delays and unexplained gaps between sessions is a good sign that Family Mediation is on the right track.
Family mediation support from Tees solicitors
If you have questions about family mediation (whether you would like to use the Tees Family Mediation team or would like to use a mediator from another firm but think you may benefit from legal advice alongside family mediation), the Tees Family Mediation team are here to help.
The Tees Family Mediation team is registered to apply for Family Mediation vouchers for eligible Mediation clients. If you would like more information about the voucher scheme, please look online here: Family Mediation Voucher Scheme – Family Mediation Council
