HandoverhubFamily mediation, MIAMs and the £500 voucher scheme
This is general information, not legal advice. The rules on MIAMs and funding change from time to time. Check the official pages linked below, and ask a mediator or solicitor about your situation.
If you and your child's other parent can't agree on arrangements for the children, family mediation is often the next step. A trained, impartial mediator helps you both talk through the options and reach decisions you can live with, without a judge making them for you. This guide explains how mediation works in England and Wales, what a MIAM is, what it costs, and the government help that's available, including the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
What is family mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process. The mediator doesn't take sides or tell you what to do. They help you focus on the children, look at the options and, where you agree, write down what you've decided. You can mediate about arrangements for the children, about money and property, or both.
Cafcass, the service that represents children in family courts in England, says that ongoing conflict is bad for both parents and children, and that mediation and other ways of resolving disputes outside court can help. [1] Mediation is usually quicker and cheaper than going to court, and the decisions are yours.
Some mediators offer child-inclusive mediation, where a specially trained mediator talks with the child (with both parents' agreement) so that the child's views can be heard. You can search for this on the Family Mediation Council's register. [2]
What is a MIAM?
A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It's a first meeting with an accredited mediator, who explains how mediation and other options work and checks whether mediation is suitable and safe for your situation. Each parent usually goes to their own separate MIAM. [3]
When you need one
In most cases you must go to a MIAM before you can apply to court for a child arrangements order. The mediator must be accredited by the Family Mediation Council. [3] The court rules say the MIAM should usually take place within 15 business days of contacting the mediator, and that the mediator must talk you through the different ways of resolving things outside court, such as mediation, arbitration, neutral evaluation and collaborative law. [4]
Exemptions
You don't have to go to a MIAM in some situations. Gov.uk lists exemptions including: [5]
- evidence of domestic abuse;
- a child being at risk of harm;
- an urgent application;
- having been to a MIAM or another form of non-court dispute resolution recently;
- no accredited mediator being available; and
- applications for a consent order, or applications made without notice to the other parent.
The court checks any exemption you claim, and it can pause a case and direct you to attend a MIAM if the exemption isn't valid. [4]
The 2024 changes
New rules came in on 29 April 2024. They put more emphasis on resolving disputes outside court: the court is expected to consider non-court options at every stage of a case, and some MIAM exemptions were tightened. [4] [6]
What does it cost?
Mediators set their own fees. Gov.uk says a MIAM usually costs around £120. [3] Each parent usually has their own MIAM. Mediation sessions after that are charged separately, so ask for prices before you book.
Legal aid
You don't have to pay for a MIAM if either you or your ex-partner qualifies for legal aid. If you both qualify, legal aid covers the MIAM, the mediation sessions and help with a consent order. If only one of you qualifies, it covers both MIAMs and the first joint mediation session, and after that only the eligible parent's costs. [3] You can check whether you might qualify on gov.uk. [7]
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: is it still running?
Yes, as of October 2026. The Family Mediation Council reported on 27 March 2026 that the Ministry of Justice had confirmed funding for the scheme for the 2026 to 2027 financial year (which ends on 31 March 2027). [8]
According to gov.uk: [3]
- you can usually get a voucher worth up to £500 towards family mediation, regardless of what you earn;
- the voucher can't be used for the MIAM itself;
- you can only use one voucher between you, to jointly cover mediation costs of up to £500; and
- the money is paid to the mediator, not to you.
The scheme is for disputes about children, or about money when it's linked to a dispute about children. [9] Ask your mediator about it at your MIAM. Because funding is agreed one year at a time, check the latest position before you rely on it.
How to find a mediator
Use the Family Mediation Council's "Find a local mediator" search. You can search by postcode and filter for mediators who offer legal aid, child-inclusive mediation or online sessions. [2] Look for a mediator who is FMC accredited, especially if you need a MIAM for a court application.
Getting the most out of mediation
- Prepare. Write down the decisions you need to make, and what matters most to the children.
- Bring the facts: the current arrangements, school and holiday dates, and the children's regular costs.
- Think about options, not positions. There's usually more than one arrangement that could work.
- Use a plan. The Cafcass "Our Child's Plan" tool or our parenting plan checklist can give your sessions some structure.
- Take time if you need it. You don't have to agree everything in one session.
When mediation isn't right
Mediation isn't suitable for everyone. If there has been domestic abuse, or you're worried about a child's safety, the mediator will assess this at the MIAM, and exemptions exist so that you don't have to mediate. Specialist services can help: the National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours on 0808 2000 247. See our free help guide for more. If anyone is in danger, call 999.
Quick answers
Is the mediation voucher scheme still running in 2026?
Yes, as of October 2026. The Family Mediation Council reported on 27 March 2026 that the Ministry of Justice had confirmed funding for the 2026 to 2027 financial year, which ends on 31 March 2027. Funding is agreed a year at a time, so check before you rely on it.
Can the £500 voucher be used for the MIAM?
No. The voucher can't be used for the MIAM itself. It goes towards mediation sessions after that, and it's paid to the mediator, not to you.
How much does a MIAM cost?
Gov.uk says a MIAM usually costs around £120. It's free if either you or your ex-partner qualifies for legal aid.
Do I have to go to a MIAM before applying to court?
In most cases, yes, for a child arrangements order. There are exemptions, for example evidence of domestic abuse, a child at risk of harm, or an urgent application.
Keeping track of what you agree
Once you've agreed arrangements, Handoverhub can help you both keep to them. It's a free co-parenting app with a shared calendar, change requests and messages that neither of you can edit or delete. Pro adds read-only access for your mediator or solicitor, if you choose to give it. Find out more.
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Sources
- Cafcass, Mediation and dispute resolution: cafcass.gov.uk
- Family Mediation Council, Find a local mediator: familymediationcouncil.org.uk/find-local-mediator
- Gov.uk, Get help with mediation: gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/mediation
- Ministry of Justice, Family Procedure Rules Practice Direction 3A: justice.gov.uk
- Gov.uk, Apply for a court order: gov.uk/looking-after-children-divorce/apply-for-court-order
- The Law Society, Attendance at mediation information and assessment meetings: lawsociety.org.uk
- Gov.uk, Legal aid: what you can get legal aid for: gov.uk/legal-aid
- Family Mediation Council, FMC welcomes funding of family mediation voucher scheme for 2026-27 financial year (27 March 2026): familymediationcouncil.org.uk
- Gov.uk, Family Mediation Voucher Scheme guidance: gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation-voucher-scheme