Eligible separating families across Cheshire may be able to access up to £500 of support towards mediation and professional guidance to help reach important parenting and child arrangement agreements without the stress and cost of court proceedings.
Separating parents in Cheshire can access £500 towards the cost of agreeing arrangements for children and finances, following a government extension of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
Hundreds of families locally could benefit from the funding, which is designed to help couples reach agreements without going to court.
The government has confirmed a one-year extension to its Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which offers funding for separating couples to help them make agreements using family mediation.
Welcoming the extension, Victoria Poole, Mediator at Susan Howarth & Company said the scheme will help more local families make arrangements more quickly and with less stress, explaining:
“Family mediation is a process where an independent, professionally trained mediator helps separating couples work through decisions together”.
Victoria goes on to say, “The £500 voucher will encourage more parents in Cheshire to try mediation rather than face the cost, delay and emotional strain of going to court. Mediation puts families in control. It helps them find practical, long-term solutions that work for their own circumstances, rather than having decisions imposed by a court.”
Couples who have decided to separate find that their life-changing decision brings many difficult questions, such as:
- Who will live where?
- Where will the children live, and how will we make sure we each spend time with them?
- How will we sort money?
- What about debts and pensions?
- And even the family dog?
In her experience, Victoria says “many people simply don’t know where to start - the voucher scheme means more families in Cheshire can access support to work through these issues constructively.”
Analysis of the first 7,200 users of the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme showed 69% reached full or partial agreements away from court.
Further benefits of family mediation can be found here or by contacting the office on 01606 48777.
The case types eligible for a mediation voucher are:
- a dispute/application regarding a child
- a dispute/application regarding family financial matters which is being addressed alongside a dispute/application relating to a child
Legal Aid also remains available for family mediation *.
*Susan Howarth & Co does not offer mediation for family matters.