This report, authored by Jill Goldson and published by the Families Commission in December 2006, evaluates a solution-focused model of child-inclusive mediation during family separation. The study involved 17 families and 26 children, ranging in age from 6 to 18 years, who were referred by the Family Court.
The research highlights several key findings:
- Children's Perspectives: Children expressed a strong need for a voice and for information from within the familial context regarding their changing family structure. Participation in the mediation process led to a reported decrease in their anxiety concerning practical and emotional issues. Children also noted a strong preference for speaking with a mediator who had substantial previous contact with both of their parents.
- Parents' Perspectives: Following the intervention, parents registered a heightened awareness of how their conflict affected their children. The process enhanced parental unity and improved their ability to form agreements about co-parenting. Parents universally reported that their children appeared more relaxed and had adapted significantly better to the situation after being given the opportunity to be heard.
Ultimately, the findings indicate a high level of satisfaction with this child-inclusive process from both parents and children, demonstrating that timely intervention can lower parental conflict, enhance conciliation, and protect the psychological health of families.