~8 days
Foundation Course
3 minimum
Portfolio Cases
3 years
Time Limit
Every 3 yrs
Re-accreditation
Want to know how to become a family mediator in the UK? The route is regulated by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) and runs: FMC-approved foundation training → FMCT registration → supervised practice → portfolio → FMCA accreditation. This guide covers every step, how long it takes, and where to train.
Becoming a Family Mediator: Quick Facts
- Foundation training: FMC-approved course, typically 8 days
- Then: register as FMCT (working towards accreditation)
- Supervised practice: with a Professional Practice Consultant (PPC)
- Portfolio: evidence from a minimum of 3 cases, assessed by the FMC
- Deadline: complete accreditation within 3 years of foundation training
- Renewal: FMCA status renewed every 3 years
Why Accreditation Matters
In England and Wales, only FMC-accredited (FMCA) mediators are "authorised family mediators" under Family Procedure Rules Part 3 — meaning only they can conduct MIAMs and sign the confirmation courts require on C100 and Form A applications. If you want to practise family mediation professionally, FMCA is the destination.
The Pathway to FMCA Accreditation
Complete FMC-Approved Foundation Training
An approved foundation course (typically 8 days, online or in person) covering mediation skills, legal and procedural frameworks, domestic abuse screening, safeguarding, child arrangements and financial mediation. Courses are approved by the Family Mediation Standards Board (FMSB) on behalf of the FMC.
Register as FMCT
After foundation training, register with the FMC as working towards accreditation (FMCT). You must present yourself to the public as not yet fully accredited.
Join a Member Organisation & Find a PPC
Join an FMC member organisation (e.g. National Family Mediation, the Family Mediators Association, the College of Mediators) and work under a Professional Practice Consultant who supervises your casework.
Supervised Practice & Portfolio
Conduct real mediations (often co-mediating at first) and build a portfolio evidencing competence against the FMC Standards Framework, including casework from at least 3 cases.
FMC Assessment & FMCA
Submit your portfolio for independent assessment. On passing, your registration changes from FMCT to FMCA — you can now conduct MIAMs and sign court forms. Re-accredit every 3 years.
Where to Train
Choose an FMC-approved provider — the FMC lists current approved courses. Established providers include:
- National Family Mediation (NFM) — foundation course including portfolio-building support
- Family Mediators Association (FMA) — training and PPC network
- The College of Mediators — standards body and training routes
- Independent FMSB-approved academies (check approval status on the FMC site before booking)
Course fees vary by provider and format — confirm current prices and FMSB approval directly. Budget also for FMC/member-organisation registration, PPC supervision and professional indemnity insurance.
Who Becomes a Family Mediator?
No law degree is required. Foundation courses accept beginners, and cohorts typically include solicitors and barristers, social workers, counsellors and therapists, teachers, HR professionals and police officers. What matters is impartiality, emotional intelligence and the ability to manage conflict — the same qualities you'll see in a good mediator described in what is a mediator?
Earning Potential
Family mediators typically charge in line with the FMC cost guide of £130-£170 per person per hour, with MIAMs at £120-£150 per person. Many combine private work with legal aid contracts and voucher scheme cases; demand has grown as courts push non-court dispute resolution under the April 2024 rule changes.
How much does family mediation training cost?
Fees vary by provider and format (online vs in person), so check current prices with FMC-approved providers directly. Beyond the course itself, budget for FMC registration, PPC supervision hours and insurance while working towards accreditation.
Can I practise before I'm accredited?
Yes — as an FMCT trainee under supervision, and you must make your trainee status clear. You cannot conduct MIAMs or sign court confirmations until you are FMCA accredited.
What is a PPC in family mediation?
A Professional Practice Consultant — an experienced accredited mediator who supervises your casework, supports your professional development and signs off elements of your portfolio. Every family mediator (including accredited ones) must have a PPC.
Is there demand for family mediators?
Yes. MIAMs are legally required before most family court applications, the voucher scheme has supported 54,000+ families since 2021, and the April 2024 FPR changes strengthened courts' powers to push parties towards mediation.
Sources & Further Reading
- Family Mediation Council — official site
- NFM — How to become a family mediator
- Family Procedure Rules Part 3
- FMC — The State of Family Mediation 2025 (PDF)
Related guides: What is a mediator? · Family Mediation Council · Find a mediator
Curious About Mediation as a Career?
Learn how mediation works from the inside — explore our guides to the process, standards and the Family Mediation Council.
AI Preparation Tool: Miam helps you prepare for your MIAM but cannot provide legal advice or issue certificates. Only FMC-accredited mediators can do that.
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