Understand how the process works, what to expect at each stage, and whether it suits your situation, so you can make the right decision for your family.
If you have been searching online, you have probably come across a lot of general information about mediation. What is harder to find is a clear picture of what the process actually looks like in practice, what happens at each stage, how long it takes, and what you walk away with at the end.
This page answers those questions. It is designed to give you enough detail to decide whether family mediation is the right route for your situation, and what working with New Horizon specifically involves.
Mediation is a structured series of conversations, guided by a trained, impartial mediator, where you and your partner work through the practical decisions that need to be made when a relationship ends. That usually means child arrangements, financial matters, or both.
What it is not is a courtroom process in miniature. There is no judge, no formal submissions, and no imposed outcome. Amanda’s role is to keep the conversation productive, make sure both sides are heard, and help you both think through your options clearly. The decisions you reach are yours.
Amanda is a Resolution accredited All Issues Mediator, which means she is qualified to handle both children and financial matters in the same process. You do not need to work with different mediators for different issues, and you do not need to run two separate processes.
The government’s Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to £500 toward the cost of mediation for eligible couples. It covers discussions about children and financial matters, and it is not means tested, so your income does not affect whether you qualify.
Amanda will check your eligibility on your first call, at no cost to you. Most couples who enquire are eligible.
Partial agreements are common and completely valid. If you reach agreement on children’s arrangements but not finances, for example, that agreement can still be documented and progressed. You can return to mediation at a later stage to work through the remaining issues. Nothing is all or nothing.
Amanda will invite your partner to their own individual MIAM. They are not committing to anything by attending. If they attend and decide not to proceed, or if they decline entirely, Amanda can complete the necessary paperwork confirming that mediation was considered. This is a legal requirement before most court applications, so the process still moves forward either way.
Joint mediation sessions are between you, your partner, and Amanda. Support people do not typically attend joint sessions as this can affect the balance of the conversation. If you have concerns about attending, please raise them with Amanda on your initial call. She will talk through the options with you.
New Horizon’s fees are transparent and there are no hidden costs. Amanda will give you a clear breakdown during your first call. Many couples reduce their costs further through the government’s £500 mediation voucher, which Amanda checks eligibility for at the outset. You will never be surprised by an invoice.
A MIAM is a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. It is a private session where Amanda explains the mediation process and assesses whether it is suitable for your situation. If you are considering a court application to resolve children or financial matters, attending a MIAM is a legal requirement in most cases. It does not commit you to mediation. It simply means you have been properly informed of the option.
Your first call is free and confidential. Amanda will listen, explain how the process works, and let you know whether you qualify for funding. There is no obligation to proceed.
