Child inclusive Mediation (CIM)

Family Mediation Jersey offer Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) and it is free! It provides an opportunity for children and young people aged 10 and over to speak with a neutral third party and have their views fed back to their parents to consider in their decision making.

CIM is a specialised approach within the field of family mediation that focuses on involving children in the decision-making process during divorce or separation. It recognises the importance of considering children's perspectives, needs, and voices when making decisions that directly impact their lives.

As part of the mediation process, we can offer your children the opportunity to talk to someone independent through what we call direct consultation, or Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM).

Mediators don’t ask children to make decisions about what they want, or who they may wish to live with. This is for parents to decide. However, CIM allows children to voice any worries, views or thoughts they might have as well as, if parents want them to, to give their views on the proposals and arrangements being discussed in mediation so their voice can become part of the process.

Our mediators will only see children with the permission of both parents and we’ll contact the children to offer an appointment. If they don’t want to see the mediator, they can say no, and if there are brothers and/or sisters, they can be seen together or separately.

The mediator will talk to both parents in advance of this meeting to help prepare them and the children accordingly. Children shouldn’t feel they need to take sides, especially if there is a difference of opinion between parents. It’s also important parents don’t try to influence a child’s view before the meeting, nor express any disagreement or disappointment with children afterwards.

As with all mediation, meetings with children are confidential (with the exception of safeguarding, or other serious concerns) but at the end of the session, the children and mediators will agree what can be fed back to the parents and whether this will be done by them, the mediator or both. Feedback may also be given separately to each parent.

Here at FMJ we offer CIM appointments free of charge.