Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation

02/07/2024

Child Inclusive Mediation – Having your child’s voice and a Child Expert inform mediation.

Parenting following separation is difficult to navigate because:
1. It requires parenting your children, who are more precious to you than anything else, with a person with whom your relationship has broken down and it is usual for there to be low levels of trust as well as grief, pain and hurt.

2. It is likely that you hold different opinions, parenting styles and perspectives to your other parent – and that these differences have been frustrating and evident for some time.

In our experience – while it is not always true – often both parents hold in common that they love their children and want to ensure that they are as safe, secure, and as loved possible following separation.

Child Inclusive Mediation

Our job here at Northern Beaches North Shore Mediation is to assist parents to have a robust discussion about how they will parent post separation in a way that best meets the needs of their children and protects them from conflict and uncertainty.
Sometimes the best way to do this is through Child Inclusive Mediation (“CIM”) where we have a Child Expert join as part of the mediation process. The Child Expert’s role is to bring the voice and perspective of the child into the mediation. It is also to be able to provide parents with expert knowledge regarding their child’s development and needs post separation.

The Process

• Both Parties meet with the Mediator for intake interviews – if the mediator considers that it would be beneficial the option of Child Inclusive Mediation is raised.
• If both parties consent to CIM the parties are referred to the Child Expert who will meet with the child/ren to discuss with them what is important during and following separation. The expert may also then briefly meet with each parent.
• Mediation is then scheduled and the Child Expert attends and provides feedback. Mediation then occurs informed by the feedback that has been provided. In some instances where it is helpful the Child Expert stays to assist throughout the mediation.
Frequently Raised Concerns
The idea of having your child/ren interviewed by an expert as part of a mediation process can be incredibly daunting and often parents have concerns including whether:
• Child Inclusive mediation will result in the child being placed in a more difficult position and in the middle of the parents’ conflict.
• The process is robust enough to be able to detect and deal with instances where there is suspicion that the Child’s input and perspective may have been shaped by the manipulation or training of the other parent.

It is important to have these concerns addressed. We have set out detailed information regarding these and other concerns here: https://nbnsmediation.com.au/service/child-inclusive-mediation/
Information about our Child Expert Dr Mandy Ellis is also available on our website. Alternatively, you can find further information regarding Dr Mandy Ellis at her website here: https://striveandthrivepsychology.au/

For the Lawyers out there:

If you have a matter in which you consider that the parties would benefit from having a greater understanding of the perspective of their child and from the input of a Child Expertt, we would love to work with you and your clients in mediation.
Attending Child Inclusive Mediation essentially allows your client to obtain the insight and understanding offered in a Child Impact Report, however, unlike a Child Impact Report your client will have the opportunity to have a discussion with the child consultant and ask questions regarding their feedback. Child Inclusive mediation also has the benefit of being confidential and it is less costly than filing and obtaining a Child Impact Report or Full Family Report.
Ideally CIM gives your client the opportunity to settle their matter in a child focused way and avoids the need for litigation. If however, your matter does not settle it is hoped that CIM will have assisted your client by:

• providing them with insight in relation to their child’s needs and perspective;
• narrowing the issues in dispute; and
• providing them with some insights as to the potential issues raised in a Child Impact Report.

Child Inclusive Mediation is not suitable in every matter – however where it is suitable it is a powerful tool to help parents achieve what they set out to achieve – an outcome that is in their child’s best interests – rather than an outcome that orbits around conflict with the other parent.

Please do not hesitate to be in touch if you have any further questions regarding Child Inclusive Mediation.

Family and financial security are two of the most important things in life. When you need help in these areas, only the best will do.

Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation is one of the strongest names in family law mediation and our team of dedicated specialists are leaders in their field. You can confidently put your trust in us to achieve the best outcome for you.

Our services include -

+ Parenting Mediation
+ Child Inclusive Mediation
+ Property Mediation
+ Parenting & Property Mediation
+ Lawyer Assisted Mediation

We understand that coming to mediation can be daunting. We want to do everything possible to help you prepare. This includes giving you access to information that will empower you to understand the process and make the decisions that you need to.

We offer the below process in person at our premises located in the Lifestyle Building in Brookvale, and also over Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

08/04/2024

Make a booking.....no wait time!

We understand that you may need to attend mediation as soon as possible. We also understand that as your co-parenting journey continues that it may be the case that you need to revisit mediation – We are committed to providing mediation without lengthy wait times and to providing continuity of care so that you can pick up where you left off.

Please phone 0414 655 099 or visit - https://nbnsmediation.com.au/client-intake-form/

Family and financial security are two of the most important things in life. When you need help in these areas, only the best will do.

Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation is one of the strongest names in family law mediation and our team of dedicated specialists are leaders in their field. You can confidently put your trust in us to achieve the best outcome for you.

Our services include -

+ Parenting Mediation
+ Child Inclusive Mediation
+ Property Mediation
+ Parenting & Property Mediation
+ Lawyer Assisted Mediation

We understand that coming to mediation can be daunting. We want to do everything possible to help you prepare. This includes giving you access to information that will empower you to understand the process and make the decisions that you need to.

We offer the below process in person at our premises located in the Lifestyle Building in Brookvale, and also over Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

01/02/2024

The Start of Something New
The Christmas and New Year period is often a time of taking stock and evaluating life and family. January can bring with it clarity that things need to change.
If you have recently made the difficult decision to separate, or if you are separated and are desiring to move into a new chapter in 2024 we want you to know that there is support available.
Whether you are working towards becoming financially separated or towards a plan to care for your children post separation we are here to help facilitate the conversations that are difficult to have and to help you make decisions to move forward.
At Northern Beaches North Shore Mediation Services, we aim to provide a process uniquely tailored to your circumstances.
We work with clients who are recently separated and need to work through immediate arrangements for their finances and children and we work with clients who are finalising long term arrangements. We offer Child Inclusive Mediation where a child expert becomes part of the mediation process to help to ensure that mediation is informed by your child’s viewpoint and needs. We also frequently work with clients together with their lawyers in mediation in the hope that litigation can be avoided or resolved.
Importantly we work to provide you service without lengthy wait times and with continuity of mediator.
We understand that the journey of separation is one of the most difficult that you will make, and that having the support and a space that you feel confident and empowered to make decisions is essential.
For more information on our services please visit: https://nbnsmediation.com.au/ or call 0414 655 099. We offer a free confidential 10 minute consultation which can be booked online.

19/12/2023

Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation wish you the compliments of the season and take this opportunity to advise that our office will be closed on Thursday 21 December 2023 from 3.00pm and will re-open on Monday 08 January 2024 at 9.00am.

17/12/2023

Parenting & Property Mediation

It can feel overwhelming facing all the details that need to be sorted out post separation – in relation to parenting arrangements and financial separation. There can be enormous benefit in being able to use the same provider to work through parenting arrangements and financial matters.

Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation is able to provide parenting and property mediation either on the same day in a full day session or otherwise in two half day sessions.

We are happy to discuss with you the best way to structure mediation if you wish to resolve both Parenting and Property.

If you attend our service for parenting and property mediation, we will ask you to attend a further/ and or more lengthy intake session.

12/12/2023

Do I Need A Lawyer?

You can attend mediation with or without lawyers. If you choose to attend mediation without a lawyer, we suggest that you obtain legal advice prior to attending your mediation.

Unless there are exceptional circumstances, the law provides that you must attempt to resolve your family law dispute (parenting and/or property) by mediation before applying to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Mediation allows you both to control the outcome.

10/12/2023

Child Inclusive Mediation

Bringing your kids voice into Mediation

We know that when parties are separating often their greatest concern and deepest desire is to protect and care for their children. Parenting after separation has so many challenges, there is a lot of change for kids, and they are aware of and impacted by the relational breakdown between their parents.

In our parenting mediations we are always aiming to work with parents to help them as they focus on their children and try to work out what is in the best for their kids. One of the best ways we have found to do this is through Child Inclusive Mediation (also known as Child Inclusive Practice) – where we bring a child expert into the mediation process.

In practice what this looks like is that shortly after both parties have attended their confidential pre-mediation assessment we arrange for the children to meet with a child expert trained in Child Inclusive Mediation. In this session the expert works to build rapport and create a safe space through age-appropriate activities that then allows for exploration of where your child is up to and their potential needs following separation.

Following the child interview, we then run a feedback session. During this session the parents and mediator attend to receive the Child Experts feedback and observations. We then aim a short time later to run mediation.

There are many benefits of CIM, but the most significant include: Your child gets a safe independent space to discuss where they are at and what is going on for them.
This space is created by an expert – who has years of experience working with children after separation, who understands in details child development and has a wealth of information to assist parents as they work to care for their kids.
The experts feedback, like mediation is confidential and inadmissible in court proceedings- in a sense an opportunity to explore and receive information about your kids without the concern that something that is said will become ammunition for the other party.

It is one of the best ways to bring your kids voice/s into the mediation.

07/12/2023

Lawyer Assisted Mediation

When you attend mediation, we want to ensure that you are able to voice what is important to you and that you have all the information you need to be able to enter into dialogue with the other party and make decisions. Sometimes to be able to achieve this additional support is required – and it is best provided by a lawyer.

It is by no means essential to have a lawyer present during mediation. It can however be of benefit if your case is particularly complicated or there are family violence issues. It can also be of benefit as it allows you to have access to advice during mediation, and if you plan to make your agreement legally enforceable your lawyer will be able to manage this next stage for you and assist in preparing Consent Orders to be filed with the Court.

Your mediator will discuss with you during your pre-mediation conference the option of having your lawyer present during mediation or available via phone for support. Please note that if one party has a lawyer present the other party will be given the same opportunity.
If you choose to attend mediation without a lawyer, we suggest that you obtain legal advice prior to attending your mediation.

Northern Beaches and North Shore Family Law Mediation collaborates with several established Legal Services. In some cases, we can assist you in finding legal representation.

05/12/2023

Mediation To Suit Your Circumstances

We aim to tailor the mediation we offer to your unique circumstances. There are several ways that we can structure mediation to suit your needs. Sometimes parties have a hard time voicing their point of view when they are in the same room as their ex-partner. In these instances, mediation can be more effective run in shuttle with the mediator moving between the parties who are in different rooms. In some cases it may be that mediation will be most successful with each party having their legal representative present. We also offer Child Inclusive Mediation. Child inclusive Mediation is where your children are interviewed by a child expert with a view to providing both parents with expert advice as to how to best meet your children’s needs after separation. Your mediator will be able to discuss all these options with you in the pre-mediation session.

We want you to be as comfortable and confident as possible when you engage in your mediation. We know that the key to this is helping you to be as prepared as you can and providing you a safe and robust space that is the best fit for your circumstances.

We aim to provide mediation within 2 weeks of pre-mediation sessions.

03/12/2023

Pre mediation conference:

The first part of the mediation process is for you to attend a confidential pre-mediation session with one of our mediators. This session is an opportunity for you to ask any questions that you have regarding the mediation process. It is also an opportunity for us to gain an understanding of the dynamics between you and your ex-partner so we can best assist you to have the conversations that you need to have to move forward.

In parenting matters the pre-mediation session is an opportunity for us to understand your children, how they are coping and your thoughts on what will be best for them moving forward. We are also able to provide at this time resources that will assist you as you navigate parenting and separation.

In property matters the pre-mediation session is an opportunity for us to gain a detailed understanding of your financial circumstances both your immediate needs and concerns as well as what you hope to achieve out of a financial settlement.

We aim to provide the opportunity for both parties to attend this confidential pre-mediation session within 2 weeks of your engagement of our service.

Sometimes there can be benefit in attending a further or more lengthy pre-mediation conference ahead of mediation. A further conference is usually required when:

Parties would benefit from further assistance and coaching regarding navigating conflict ahead of mediation.
Parties are attending for parenting and property mediation without lawyer assistance. In these circumstances we like to meet with you for either a longer intake session or further session to understand your property matter and ensure that you have all the information that you require to be able to make decisions regarding your property.
Your mediator will discuss with you the best preparation for your mediation and whether a further pre-mediation session will be of benefit to you.