Family Law Now After Hours
Hosted this coming week by Family Lawyers Joseph Cugini & Shanza Sohail, Articling Student, Jodeen Williams, and Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist, Jonathan Paynter.
Want to learn about child inclusive mediation?
We will be live at 5PM on September 10th on Zoom and our YouTube Channel, to provide an introduction on involving children in the mediation process. This series is one of our many commitments to providing our community with valuable resources to support them in navigating family law matters.
Child Inclusive Mediation: Involving Children in the Process
1. Understanding Child Inclusive Mediation
Child inclusive mediation is a process that involves children in the decision-making process during family disputes, allowing them to express their views, concerns, and preferences in a safe and supportive environment.
2. Importance of Children’s Voices in Family Disputes
Involving children in mediation allows their voices to be heard and considered in decisions that directly affect their lives, promoting their well-being and sense of agency.
3. Qualified Professionals in Child Inclusive Mediation
Child inclusive mediation is facilitated by trained professionals, such as mediators, child specialists, or counselors, who are skilled in communicating with children and facilitating productive discussions.
4. Preparation and Support for Children
Before participating in child inclusive mediation, children are provided with age-appropriate information about the process and supported emotionally to ensure their comfort and readiness to participate.
5. Creating a Safe Environment for Children to Express Themselves
Child inclusive mediation sessions are conducted in a neutral and child-friendly environment where children feel safe and comfortable expressing their thoughts, feelings, and concerns.
6. Techniques for Including Children in Mediation Sessions
Mediators use various techniques, such as age-appropriate questioning, drawing, role-playing, and storytelling, to engage children in the mediation process and elicit their perspectives.
7. Balancing Children’s Needs with Parental Concerns
Child inclusive mediation aims to balance children’s needs and interests with parental concerns and priorities, fostering cooperative co-parenting and child-centered decision-making.
8. Incorporating Children’s Views into Parenting Plans
The insights gained from child inclusive mediation can inform the development of parenting plans and custody arrangements that reflect the children’s best interests and promote their healthy development.
9. Benefits of Child Inclusive Mediation
Child inclusive mediation can lead to more durable and satisfying outcomes for families by fostering open communication, reducing conflict, and empowering children to participate in decisions that affect them.
10. Ethical Considerations and Confidentiality
Ethical guidelines govern the practice of child inclusive mediation, including principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and prioritizing the well-being of the children involved. Confidentiality is maintained to protect the privacy and trust of the children.
