Voucher Scheme in 2025
Is the family mediation voucher still available?
Direct Mediation Services continues to take part in the family mediation voucher scheme which has been extended. There is no end date at the moment, but this page will be updated if funding ceases. If you are seeking to mediate relating to child arrangements and would like to apply for this funding, please contact our office on 0330 043 6799. If you forget, don’t worry as your mediator, or one of the admin team will ask if you would like to apply when you book your MIAM for family mediation services.
In recent years, there has been a push for those experiencing family disputes to attempt to use mediation to resolve issues without using the Family Court. In fact, it is now a legal requirement to at least consider mediation by attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before making a court application, except for some specific exemptions. The reason for this is that mediation is far better in resolving disputes for both you. Mediation supports the participants to reach a decision which is right for your family, whereas the court takes that decision-making power away and makes their own decision. Furthermore, the Family Court is inundated with applications, and this has been exacerbated in the last few years. Presently, it is unlikely that applicants will receive a hearing date earlier than four months after the date of the application. Mediation can commence almost immediately following your initial inquiry.
Finances can pose a barrier for many of us when trying to navigate the legal system. Cuts to Legal Aid funding following the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2021 meant that for most, Legal Aid was no longer available in family matters.
As part of the Courts encouragement for participants to attempt dispute resolution through mediation, the Ministry of Justice created the family mediation voucher scheme to support families to go to mediation. The voucher scheme provides a sum of £500 per case to families who are mediating on child arrangements issues. Initially, the scheme was developed as a response to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has since been extended.
The voucher scheme has noticeably helped access to mediation. With the financial help, separating couples are more further encouraged to give it a go. The scheme contributes up to £500 toward the total costs of mediation – but this does not cover the MIAM. The voucher scheme will cover some of the costs of your joint sessions. At Direct Mediation Services, the cost of joint sessions is £135 per person per hour.
Voucher scheme extended for mediation services
The online mediation and MIAMs can be done by either Zoom, WhatsApp Video, Teams, or FaceTime.
We have acquired all the necessary provisions to ensure that our online services maintain the same professional standards as in person sessions. Impartiality and confidentiality remain our priorities, and our mediators take all the necessary steps to ensure that the principles of mediation are upheld and are being respected. For example, we may ask you to pan the room with your webcam to show you are alone in the meeting.
Online mediation is as effective and useful as it is in person sessions and some may say that it comes with additional benefits for the participants, such as saving traveling costs and time.
We are happy to make adjustments that are right for you. If you have any concerns or problems, get in touch with us and a member of our team can talk this through with you.
Questions about the Voucher Scheme for mediation
Who is eligible for the voucher?
DMS welcomes the fact that eligibility for the mediation voucher is unrelated to an individual’s income. Once you have attended your MIAM and had your case assessed for suitability, you may be able to apply for the voucher scheme. Not all mediation cases satisfy the requirements – only the following cases will be eligible for the voucher:
- Child arrangement disputes; or
- Disputes involving financial matters where there is also a child arrangement issue.
Your case must relate to children in order to qualify. You cannot qualify for the voucher scheme if your mediation case solely relates to a financial dispute. Whilst it is unfortunate that the voucher does not cover disputes relating to financial arrangements, you may qualify for Legal Aid in this regard. You may qualify for Legal Aid Mediation if you receive welfare benefits or a low income.
How does the mediation voucher work?
Once you are deemed eligible for the voucher, your mediator will apply for the funding, and it is payable directly to them. This covers some of the costs that would otherwise be payable by yourself. You personally do not receive a voucher nor any payment. Your mediator makes the application for you and claims the money on your behalf.
How much can I claim with the new voucher scheme?
The voucher scheme gives up to £500 per family for mediation, either relating to child arrangements or for financial arrangements where children are involved. Remember that the £500 is per family (per case), not per person.
Can I claim the voucher scheme as well as Legal Aid?
Families where one participant is Legally Aided and the other does not qualify may choose to use the voucher scheme so that the non- Legal Aid participant can also receive funding.
Can I claim the voucher twice?
No. You can only claim one voucher per family (case). If your costs exceed £500 then you will need to either privately fund this or apply for Legal Aid.
What if my costs exceed £500?
Currently the scheme is only providing a fixed £500 on a per case basis, and you cannot claim more than one voucher. So, if your case exceeds £500 then you will need to cover the remaining costs independently. DMS operate a fixed hourly rate of £130.00 per person per hour. As outlined above. It is not uncommon for disputes to be settled in two sessions, but your mediator will be able to indicate how many sessions are likely to be required from the outset.
What if the other partcipant is claiming Legal Aid?
You can still claim the voucher even where one of the participants are on Legal Aid as it is allocated per case, not per person. Remember however that the voucher does not cover the cost of a MIAM, but Legal Aid does. If you have any questions about this, please get in touch with us for further clarification.
So, what should I do next?
The first step is to book a MIAM. You can do this directly through our website here, or by calling us on 0113 468 9593. At your MIAM your case will be assessed for suitability for mediation and also you can ask your mediator whether you qualify for the voucher scheme. If you do, you should ask your mediator to make an application for the voucher scheme to cover the costs of any future joint mediation sessions.
Remember, after your MIAM we will write to the other person to invite them to attend their own separate MIAM. It is not until both participants have moved to joint sessions that the voucher scheme comes into effect.
If mediation is unsuccessful, you may need to make an application to Court.
Book an online MIAM
We offer an online MIAM appointment within 48 hours of booking, or even sooner. This includes options for scheduling during lunch breaks or before your children need to be picked up from school.
