West Lancs Child Contact Centre

& Family Mediation Service

 

West Lancs will provide mediation for those parents willing to work together, despite their differences. Family mediation focuses on the views and needs of children and is a place for parents to plan together for the future care and wellbeing of their children.

 

Mediation is not a substitute for legal advice; a solicitor will provide support when using mediation and offer advice at the appropriate stages. However, mediation can also be used if the parties do not have legal representatives. We can only mediate if both parties are willing to take part.

 

Who is it for?

• Separating/ divorcing couples.
• Couples already separated but in need of help with arrangements about their children or finances.
• Other family members wanting to agree arrangements for looking after and seeing children.

 

The Benefits

 

• Mediation is generally quicker and less expensive than going to Court.
• It helps you communicate and co-operate to reach your own agreements.
• It is less stressful and upsetting than going through the Court process – ‘you’ keep control over sorting out ‘your’ problems.
• It is confidential (unless someone’s welfare is at risk or infringes the Proceeds of Crime Act).
•  

The mediator is impartial and is there to help you communicate with your former partner. The mediator will ensure that you are both able to express your views.

 

 

*From January 2012 to May 2012 we are able to offer free mediation thanks to the Big Lottery Grant we were recently awarded.

 

*Free Mediation involved 1x initial solo meeting and up to two mediation sessions; any more will be charged at our usual rate.

 

 

 

Family Mediation Service

The Referral Process

 

As mediation is voluntary it can be suggested in Court by the Judge or by a solicitor or can be looked into as an alternative to the Court process.

We will accept self- referrals and Solicitors referrals for Family mediation. 

You can download a copy of our referral form from the website, complete and return to us.

Any session costs include; all telephone calls, correspondence, documentation and any summaries prepared.

Please do not hesitate to contact us on the details above if you have any enquiries or to discuss suitability for mediation.

 

 

Download the Referral Form by clicking here