The Best Way to Reach Family Mediator
Family Mediator is contacted by telephone. Calling 0330 010 0028 puts you in touch with someone who can answer questions about family mediation, explain how the process works and talk through whether it might help with your situation. You do not need to have made any decisions before you call, and you do not need to know exactly what to ask.
Telephone
Call Family Mediator on 0330 010 0028 to ask a question, discuss your situation or arrange a consultation.
Telephone contact is deliberate. Family situations are personal and often complicated, and a short conversation usually achieves far more than a long exchange of written messages. Speaking directly means your questions can be answered properly, any misunderstanding can be cleared up straight away and you can judge for yourself whether the approach feels right.
This website does not include a contact form, an online booking system or a messaging service, and it does not collect information from visitors. Every enquiry, from a simple question to arranging a first meeting, begins with a telephone conversation.
What to Say When You Call
There is no script, and nobody expects a polished explanation. A few simple points can, however, help the conversation get to what matters quickly.
Who you are
Your name and, if you are comfortable, a little about your family, such as whether children are involved.
Why you are calling
A question about mediation, a wish to arrange a consultation, or simply wanting to understand your options.
Anything urgent
A deadline, a planned move, a court date or anything else with a time limit attached.
Whether you can talk freely
If there are times or circumstances in which you cannot speak privately, mention it so future contact can respect that.
You do not need to give the other person's details on a first call, and you do not need to describe everything that has happened. Share what feels relevant and comfortable. More detail can come later, if and when it is needed, and you can always ask why a particular question is being asked.
If you feel nervous, it is perfectly fine to say so. Many callers begin with "I am not really sure where to start", and the conversation goes from there at whatever pace suits you.
Questions We Can Help With
You are welcome to call about any aspect of family mediation. Common reasons people get in touch include:
Understanding mediation
What mediation is, how it differs from going to court, what a mediator does and does not do, and whether it could work when communication has broken down.
Arranging a first meeting
How to begin, what an individual meeting involves, what you might bring and how the other person could be invited to take part.
Children and parenting
How mediation can help parents agree arrangements for where children live, how time is shared and how decisions about schooling and holidays are made.
Finances and property
How financial matters are approached in mediation, what information is usually needed and how proposals are discussed and recorded.
You can also ask practical questions about formats, such as whether sessions can be held online or whether shuttle mediation might be possible, and about any costs involved. Costs will be explained before you agree to anything.
What a Call Cannot Provide
It is important to be clear about what a telephone enquiry is and is not, so that you can get the right help in the right place.
Not legal advice
The person you speak to can explain how mediation works and provide general information, but cannot advise you on your individual legal rights or on what outcome you should seek. Independent legal advice may be helpful for that.
Not an emergency service
If you or a child are in immediate danger, call 999. Family Mediator cannot provide urgent protection.
Not a way to contact the other person
Family Mediator will not contact anyone on your behalf without first discussing it with you.
Not a booking confirmation in itself
Any meeting arranged will be confirmed with you directly, together with what it involves.
Your Privacy When You Get in Touch
The information you share during a call is personal, and it is treated that way. It is used to respond to your enquiry and, if you decide to go further, to arrange and provide the service you have asked about. It is not shared with the other person in your situation simply because they may later be involved.
There are limits to confidentiality, for example where there is a risk of serious harm to a child or an adult, and these will be explained to you. More information about how personal information is handled is set out in the Privacy Policy, which is linked from the foot of every page.
Choosing a Good Time to Call
A first conversation about family difficulties can bring up strong feelings, so it is worth giving yourself the best chance of a calm and useful call. A little planning helps.
Find a private space
Somewhere you will not be overheard by children or by the other person. A parked car, a quiet room at work or a walk outside can all work.
Allow enough time
Avoid calling in the few minutes before a school run or a meeting, so that you do not feel hurried.
Keep notes nearby
A short list of what you want to say and what you want to ask makes it easier to cover what matters.
Have something to write with
You may want to note down what happens next or anything you are asked to think about.
If the call becomes difficult, you can pause, ask for something to be explained again or arrange to continue another time. There is no pressure to cover everything at once.
What Happens After You Get in Touch
Take the time you need
For many people, the call answers their questions and they decide in their own time what to do next. Others decide during the call to arrange a first individual meeting. Either is fine.
If you arrange a meeting
If you do arrange a meeting, you will be told what it involves, how it will take place, whether online or in person, and any costs that apply. If the other person is to be invited to take part, how that will happen will be discussed with you first. Nothing is arranged without your agreement.
If mediation is not suitable
If mediation does not seem suitable for your situation, you will be told that clearly, together with the reasons and an explanation of the kinds of options that may be more appropriate. A call that ends with "mediation is not right for us" can still be valuable, because it helps you move on to the route that is.
Common Contact Questions
Can I contact Family Mediator by email or online form?
Do I need to know what I want before I call?
Can someone call on my behalf?
Will calling commit me to mediation?
Can I call again if I think of another question?
What if I find it hard to talk on the telephone?
What if the other person contacts you as well?
Ready to Ask Your Question?
Whether you want a quick answer or a longer conversation about your situation, a telephone call is the place to start.