Child Inclusive Mediation
Leona is Garda Vetted and certified in the following Mediation services
Every Child’s Voice Matters
Child Inclusive Mediation is a child-focused approach to family mediation that supports children and young people during periods of separation, divorce, or family change. The process gives children a safe and age-appropriate opportunity to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, helping parents better understand their child’s emotional needs when making important family decisions.
Family changes can affect children deeply. Decisions relating to parenting schedules, living arrangements, schooling, holidays, communication, and family relationships can create uncertainty, worry, and emotional stress. Child Inclusive Mediation helps ensure that children feel listened to, respected, and supported throughout the process.
Leona provides a compassionate and child-centred approach, drawing on her experience in Child Inclusive Mediation, her background in Inclusive Psychotherapy Practices, and her MA in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy to create a supportive and developmentally informed environment for children, young people, and families.
How the Child Inclusive Mediation Process Works
Initial Parent Session
The process begins with an initial session with parents to discuss family circumstances, explain the Child Inclusive Mediation process, and assess whether the process is appropriate and suitable for the family. This stage helps establish a child-centred approach to mediation, ensuring that the child’s voice, wellbeing, and emotional needs remain central throughout the process.
This preparation stage also helps parents consider how best to support their child’s participation and engagement in a safe and supportive manner.
Child & Sibling Sessions
Following the parent session, Leona meets privately with the child or young person and, where appropriate, with sibling groups, in a neutral and supportive setting.
Conversations are conducted gently and confidentially in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and level of understanding. Children are never asked to choose between parents, make decisions, or take responsibility for adult matters.
Instead, they are given the opportunity to safely express:
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How family changes are affecting them
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Their experiences and concerns
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What helps them feel secure and supported
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What arrangements may work well for them
Parent Feedback Session
Following the child consultation, Leona provides balanced and sensitive feedback to parents, sharing only the information the child is comfortable for them to hear.
This process often helps parents move away from conflict and focus more clearly on the needs and wellbeing of their child.
Benefits of Child Inclusive Mediation
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Supports children to feel heard, respected, and valued
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Encourages child-centred decision-making
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Improves communication between parents
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Reduces conflict within the family
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Strengthens co-parenting relationships
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Promotes emotional wellbeing and stability for children
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Supports healthier long-term family arrangements
Parent Feedback Session
Following the child consultation, Leona provides balanced and sensitive feedback to parents, sharing only the information the child is comfortable for them to hear.
This process often helps parents move away from conflict and focus more clearly on the needs and wellbeing of their child.
Benefits of Child Inclusive Mediation
-
Supports children to feel heard, respected, and valued
-
Encourages child-centred decision-making
-
Improves communication between parents
-
Reduces conflict within the family
-
Strengthens co-parenting relationships
-
Promotes emotional wellbeing and stability for children
-
Supports healthier long-term family arrangements
A Child-Centred Approach to Mediation is suitable for many families experiencing separation or transition and can be adapted depending on the age, maturity, and individual needs of each child.