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Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: Get £500

The UK Government Family Mediation Voucher Scheme provides up to \u00a3500 towards mediation costs for separating families with disputes about children. It is not means-tested and available to all eligible families.

£500

Per Case

Not Means-Tested

Available to All

Children Disputes

What It Covers

+129% YoY

Growing Fast

Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: Key Facts

From Gov.uk 2024-25:

  • £500 contribution per family towards mediation costs
  • Extended to March 2026 with £12.5m additional funding
  • 37,700+ families helped since April 2021
  • 69-70% success rate - Most families reach agreement
  • Not means-tested - Available regardless of income
  • For child-related disputes only (not financial-only mediation)

The voucher scheme makes mediation affordable for thousands of families.

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is a UK Government initiative providing up to £500 per case towards family mediation costs. It has helped over 37,700 families reach agreements about their children without going to court, with 70% reaching full or partial agreement.

Key Facts (February 2025)

From Gov.uk & Family Mediation Council:

  • £500 contribution per case (not per person)
  • Not means-tested - available regardless of income
  • Extended to March 2026 with £12.5m funding boost
  • 37,700+ families helped since March 2021
  • 70% success rate - reach whole or partial agreement
  • Average 2 sessions (3 hours total) to reach agreement
  • MIAM cost (~£120 per person) NOT covered
  • Mediator applies on your behalf

What is the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme was launched by the Ministry of Justice on 26 March 2021 with initial funding of £1.2 million. It was introduced as a pilot to help relieve family court backlogs caused by the pandemic and encourage out-of-court dispute resolution.

Due to its success, the scheme has been repeatedly extended. In February 2025, the Government announced a £12.5 million funding boost to extend the scheme until March 2026, as reported by Gov.uk.

Impact on Court Applications

The scheme has contributed to a reduction in private law court applications:

  • 2020: 55,711 applications
  • 2023: 50,807 applications

This represents nearly 5,000 fewer families going through the court system annually.

Who is Eligible for the Voucher?

According to Gov.uk guidance, eligibility requires:

Eligible Cases

  1. Child-related disputes: Where children live, contact arrangements, holiday schedules, handovers
  2. Combined child and financial disputes: If you have both children and financial matters, the voucher covers both
  3. Mediation assessed as suitable: At your MIAM, the mediator confirms mediation is appropriate

NOT Eligible

  • Financial-only disputes: Divorce finances with no child element
  • Repeat applications: Cannot claim for the same dispute twice
  • Unsuitable cases: Where domestic abuse or other factors make mediation inappropriate

Not Means-Tested

Unlike legal aid mediation, the voucher scheme is not means-tested. Your income, savings, and assets do not affect eligibility. If your case involves children and mediation is suitable, you can access the voucher.

How to Get the Voucher

1

Find an Eligible Mediator

Find an FMC-accredited mediator who participates in the voucher scheme. Search the Family Mediation Council directory and ask if they offer the voucher scheme.

2

Attend a MIAM

Attend a Mediation Information Assessment Meeting (MIAM). The mediator assesses whether your case is suitable for mediation. Cost: approximately £120 per person (not covered by the voucher).

3

Confirm You Want to Proceed

If mediation is suitable, confirm you wish to proceed. You will be asked to confirm: (1) you have asked the mediator to apply for the voucher, (2) you have not previously claimed for this dispute, (3) you consent to share necessary details with the FMC.

4

Mediator Applies for You

Your mediator applies for the voucher on your behalf through Opia Ltd (the current scheme administrator). There is no physical voucher - the £500 is paid directly to the mediator.

5

Attend Mediation Sessions

Attend your mediation sessions. On average, families need 2 sessions (3 hours total) to reach agreement according to Gov.uk.

6

Payment Processed

Once all sessions conclude, the voucher payment is made directly to the mediator. If costs exceed £500, you pay the difference.

What Does the Voucher Cover?

| Covered | NOT Covered | |---------|-------------| | Mediation sessions (up to £500) | Initial MIAM (~£120 per person) | | Child arrangements mediation | Financial-only mediation | | Combined child + financial mediation | Costs above £500 | | Mediator fees and venue | Solicitor fees | | | Court application fees | | | Consent order drafting |

Typical Costs With the Voucher

| Item | Without Voucher | With Voucher | |------|----------------|-------------| | MIAM (per person) | ~£120 | ~£120 (not covered) | | Mediation (2-5 sessions) | £600-£2,000 | £100-£1,500 | | Total per person | £720-£2,120 | £220-£1,620 |

For many families, especially those needing only 2-3 sessions, the £500 voucher covers most or all of the mediation session costs.

Voucher Scheme vs Legal Aid

Two Government funding options exist for family mediation:

| Factor | Voucher Scheme | Legal Aid | |--------|---------------|----------| | Means-tested | No | Yes | | Amount | £500 per case | Full costs covered | | Covers MIAM | No | Yes | | Financial mediation | Only with children | Yes (if eligible) | | Eligibility | All child disputes | Low income OR domestic abuse | | Contributions | Pay excess over £500 | None | | Can use both? | Yes - use legal aid for MIAM | Yes - if eligible for both |

Important: If you are eligible for legal aid, you can still receive the voucher. Legal aid covers the MIAM and sessions; the voucher provides additional contribution. Check legal aid eligibility first as it offers more comprehensive coverage.

Success Statistics

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme has proven highly effective according to Government analysis:

| Metric | Figure | Source | |--------|--------|--------| | Families helped (total) | 37,700+ | Gov.uk Feb 2025 | | Success rate | 70% | Gov.uk Feb 2025 | | Average sessions needed | 2 | Gov.uk | | Average total time | 3 hours | Gov.uk | | First 2,800 cases success | 65% | FMC research |

The Family Mediation Council welcomed the March 2026 extension, noting the schemes contribution to reducing court backlogs and helping families resolve disputes amicably.

What Types of Disputes Are Covered?

The voucher covers mediation for child-related disputes including:

  • Living arrangements: Where children primarily live
  • Contact schedules: Time spent with each parent
  • Holiday arrangements: School holidays, Christmas, birthdays
  • Handover logistics: Where and when children are exchanged
  • Communication: How parents communicate about children
  • New partners: Introduction of new relationships to children
  • Relocation: Moving to a new area with children
  • Education decisions: School choices (as part of broader arrangements)
  • Combined finances: Property, pensions, maintenance (if child element included)

Finding a Mediator on the Scheme

Not all mediators participate in the voucher scheme. To find an eligible mediator:

  1. FMC Find a Mediator - Official directory
  2. National Family Mediation (NFM) - Most NFM services participate
  3. Relate - Relationship charity offering mediation
  4. Ask directly: When contacting mediators, confirm they are registered with the voucher scheme

Scheme Administrator

The scheme is currently administered by Opia Ltd (since August 2023). Mediators apply through Opia, and families do not need to contact them directly. For queries: 0330 818 2983.

Can Both Parents Use the Voucher?

The £500 voucher is per case, not per person. This means:

  • The £500 is applied to the total mediation costs for both parties
  • It is shared between both parents participation
  • It still covers a significant portion of typical mediation costs
  • If one parent qualifies for legal aid, they may have additional coverage
What is the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?
How much is the mediation voucher worth?
How do I apply for the family mediation voucher?
Is the family mediation voucher scheme means-tested?
What does the mediation voucher NOT cover?
Can I use the voucher scheme if I qualify for legal aid?
How long is the voucher scheme running until?
What is the success rate of mediation with the voucher?
Can I claim the voucher more than once?

Official Resources & Further Reading

Government Sources

Family Mediation Council

Related Guides on This Site

Scheme Administrator

  • Opia Ltd - Current voucher administrator (since Aug 2023)
  • Contact: 0330 818 2983
  • Mediators apply through Opia; families do not contact directly

Ready to Start Mediation?

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