When families are facing breakdowns, separation, or disputes, one of the most common questions people ask is: “How does family mediation work?” Barker Mediation Burton upon Trent, we hear this every day from parents, partners, and family members who are looking for a better way forward—without the stress, cost, and emotional toll of going to court.
Suppose you’ve been searching “how family mediation work” or wondering whether it’s right for your situation. In that case, this page will guide you through everything you need to know—from how mediation starts, what to expect during the sessions, to how agreements are reached and made legally binding.
Let’s explore how family mediation work—and why it’s helping thousands of people each year find peace, clarity, and control over their future.
The answer is straightforward: most families find that family mediation is more effective.
Barker Mediation Burton upon Trent have personally witnessed how much quicker, less expensive, and less traumatic mediation can be when compared to litigation. Families are using mediation more than ever for the following reasons:
It’s quicker: Most mediation cases are resolved within a court case, which can last anywhere from one to three months or a year.
It’s economical : because legal court costs can easily surpass £10,000. Family mediation frequently only costs a small amount of money.
It’s confidential: What you discuss stays private. Court records, on the other hand, are often public.
It puts children first: Mediation focuses on the best outcomes for children—keeping their emotional well-being at the heart of every conversation.
It’s empowering: You make the decisions. Not a judge.
So when people ask, “Does family mediation work?” the evidence is overwhelmingly positive. In the UK, thousands of families are currently choosing mediation as their first step—not the court.
1. Initial Enquiry and Information
You contact us—either by phone, email, or through our website. We’ll listen to your situation and explain how family mediation works in your specific context.
2. MIAM (Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting)
Each party attends a separate, private MIAM. A mediator will speak with you one-on-one to learn about your needs, go over the procedure, and determine whether mediation is right for you.
3. Scheduling Joint Mediation Sessions
We plan joint sessions if everyone is on board. You might require one to five sessions, each lasting roughly sixty to ninety minutes, depending on the complexity.
4. Identifying Issues and Priorities
Your mediator guides you to identify the core issues—whether it’s parenting schedules, housing, finances, or other concerns. You set the agenda.
5. Facilitated Discussions
Here’s where the real work happens. You’ll both have the opportunity to speak, listen, and negotiate with the mediator’s support. We help reframe conflict into constructive problem-solving.
6. Exploring Solutions
The mediator helps you explore various options, understand consequences, and find fair, workable solutions for both sides.
7. Drafting the Outcome
Once agreement is reached, we prepare a written document known as a Memorandum of Understanding. This can then be made legally binding through your solicitor or the family court.
8. Post-Mediation Support
Barker Mediation Burton upon Trent, we don’t just end at agreement. We follow up, provide referrals to family solicitors, and support your long-term success.
9. Drafting the Outcome Documents
The mediator can prepare key documents such as:
These are not legally binding, but they can be turned into a legal order if both parties wish.
It’s natural to be unsure or sceptical. At Barker Mediation Burton upon Trent, we always address your concerns with honesty:
The truth is, family mediation works in over 70% of cases. And even when full agreement isn’t reached, people often say it helped them better understand each other and move closer to a resolution.
We’re not just mediators—we’re facilitators of healing, clarity, and forward momentum.
When families feel broken, lost, or stuck, we help them find direction again. And that’s why, at Barker Mediation Burton upon Trent, we say with confidence: family mediation works.
