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Child-Inclusive Mediation Training
Child-Inclusive Mediation Training
with Lisa Parkinson
This 30-hour online training programme focuses on the additional competencies (knowledge and skills) that accredited family mediators need to have in order to be qualified to talk with a child or young person whose parents or carers are taking part in mediation.
This is an online training programme that includes pre-course reading and a pre-course assignment (which other mediators have reported on very positively). There will be a series of 1,5 hour workshops that will include role-plays in small groups (in English). Participants on the course will need to demonstrate their competencies in their written work and in role-plays in order to qualify for a Certificate in Child-Inclusive Mediation (ChiM).
Key topics in this training include:
Core Principles and Preconditions of Child-Inclusive Mediation (CIM)
– Understanding when and how children should be consulted;
exploring ethical foundations, mediator competencies, and
stages of the CIM process.
Communicating with Children and Young People
– Techniques for engaging children of different ages, managing
resistance or refusal of contact, and addressing complex family
dynamics (e.g., sibling involvement, parental alienation).
Sharing the Child’s Perspective with Parents
– Strategies for conveying the child’s views sensitively,
facilitating parental reflection, and ensuring appropriate
responses to the child’s expressed feelings and wishes.
Follow-up and Evaluation in CIM Practice
– Considering follow-up meetings, parental consent, financial
aspects, and reviewing comparative international research (UK,
Argentina, Australia).
Many Voices, One Table : An introductory module on mediation and inclusion — towards a more empathetic and equitable practice.
-In a world rich with diverse voices, mediation is evolving —
becoming more empathetic, equitable, and inclusive.
This introductory, stand-alone module can be attended
separately from the rest of the programme and
invites mediators, lawyers, judges, social workers,
psychologists, mental health counselors and psychotherapists
to explore how awareness, equity, and empathy can transform
the way we communicate and resolve conflict.
The module also serves as a gateway to the upcoming training
course Mediation and Inclusion which will deepen these themes
through practical skills, frameworks, and real-world tools.
Join us for an inspiring exchange on how inclusion can reshape
mediation practice.
This sounds very challenging – do ChiM mediators report many difficulties and failures?
-> No, ChiM mediators say this is the best part of the work they do! Research shows
that including children in mediation appropriately, in carefully planned ways, has
significant benefits for children, parents/carers and for the family as a whole.
The trainers
Lisa Parkinson
Lisa Parkinson is a highly experienced family mediator and trainer with a background in social work and family therapy. She began mediating in the late 70s and in 1989, together with five family lawyers including Henry Brown and John Cornwell (founder of Resolution), she co-founded the Family Mediators Association in England and Wales. The Council of Europe’s Guide to Child-Inclusive Mediation is due to be published later this year (Lisa Is co-author.) Her book, ‘Family Mediation’, is available in 9 languages (5th English edition in press). ‘Conversations with Young People in Family Mediation’, was published in 2024
Summera Kauser
Family Mediator
Carly Norris
Accredited Family mediator,
Child Inclusive
Family mediator.
The Facilitators
Fedoua Ait-Baha
Hi! My name is Fedoua Ait-Baha, I am a family mediator with a legal
background. My mission is to assist parents and children during
separation and divorce. I am honored to be working and learning from Lisa Parkinson and I’m very excited to be facilitating this important in-depth training about how to include children during the mediations.
Looking forward to working with you all!
Despina Konstantinidou
Hi everyone, I’m Despina Konstantinidou, a mediator from
Thessaloniki, Greece. After many years as a lawyer, I shifted my focus
to mediation and mental health counseling. I work mainly in family,
school, and workplace mediation, and I’m really happy to be part of
this Child-Inclusive Mediation Program. It’s a wonderful learning
experience—I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!
Additional information about this training:
The UN Convention 1989 on the Rights of the Child states in Article 12 that children have the right to be consulted on decisions and arrangements and for their views to be given due weight in accordance with their age and maturity.
The Brussels II Revised Regulation upholds the child’s right to be heard in matters relating to parental responsibility for the child (Brussels II Revised Regulation, November 2003, Art 4).
The Council of Europe’s Guidelines on Child-Friendly Justice 2010 state that the child’s right to be heard should be guaranteed both in court and out-of-court proceedings (Council of Europe Guidelines on Child-Friendly Justice 2010, IV, para 26)
Recognition of the child’s right to be heard does not mean that the child’s voice is actually heard in practice. Children are often left on the sidelines, in court and out of court, without being informed or consulted. In a recent study, over half the respondents aged 11 to 18 said they did not know they had the right to be consulted. 74% said they did not know where to seek help when they needed it. Children need information and reassurance in order to talk freely, and adults need to listen to what children say. This does not mean giving children responsibility for choices and decisions. It means taking children’s feelings and suggestions into account in working out family arrangements that are agreed by all concerned.
Course Dates & Timeline
This is an online training programme of 12 sessions that includes pre-course reading and a pre-course assignment (which other mediators have reported on very positively). There will be a series of 2 and 1,5 hour workshops that will include role-plays in small groups (in English). Participants on the course will need to demonstrate their competencies in their written work and in role-plays in order to qualify for a Certificate in Child-Inclusive Mediation (ChiM).
- January 9th Pre-course reading and assignment will be sent out
- Friday 30th January 2 – 3.30pm (CET) Welcome – introductions, questions and priorities
- Module 1 Wednesday 4th February 2026 2- 4pm (CET) Pros and cons of CIM
Should children and young people be consulted in mediation about their views and wishes? They have a legal right to be consulted on matters that concern them, but in practice this rarely happens. Many parents and many family law professionals, including mediators, consider that involving children in mediation would cause them anxiety and distress. Pre-conditions for CIM, core principles, requirements for training and practice and the stages of the process.
- Module 2 Wednesday 11th February 2026 2 - 4pm (CET) Talking with children and young people
Stages 3 and 4 – inviting the child or young person – offering options – siblings together? – facilities – engaging and talking with children of different ages. Resistance or refusal of contact – ‘parental alienation’
Friday 13th February Role-play in small groups 2 -3.30 pm (CET)
Stage 4 Meeting with a child or young person
- Module 3 Wednesday 18th February 2026 2- 4pm (CET)
Stage 5 Sharing the child’s message with parents – different options – sharing difficult messages. When and how will parents respond to their child?
Friday 20th February Role-play in small groups 2-3.30 pm (CET)
Stage 5 Meeting with parents to share their child’s message
- Module 4 Wednesday 25th February 2026 2- 4pm (CET)
Stage 6 Follow-up with child – further meeting? Parental consent? Cost? Research findings on CIM from UK, Argentina and Australia – compare models
Friday 27th February 2-3.30 pm (CET) Role-play
Further meeting with a child who is refusing contact
- Module 5 Wednesday 4th March 2026 2- 4pm (CET)
Diversity and inclusivity – age of child – respecting different cultures, values and traditions. Children and/or parents with disabilities/special needs. Additional training to talk with SEND children (special educational needs or disability). Children/YPs on the autistic spectrum – examples.
Friday 6th March 2– 3.30 pm (CET) Role-play with a child who may be on the autistic spectrum but not diagnosed autistic
- March 27th Deadline for sending in final assignment
- Friday April 10th 2 – 3.30pm (CET) Final meeting – discussion and comments
Testimonials
Nana Papadogeorgaki
Lawyer, Mediator, Conflict Resolution Expert, Certified Professional Negotiator, Professional Coach, Public Speaker, Trainer at the Mediation Training Centre of Athens, AKKED Prometheus ATHENS GREECEI would highly recommend the training. Especially for mediators dealing with family disputes, it is essential – if not mandatory – to know how to handle discussions with young children within the framework of mediation ( CIM). Thank you all for this valuable experience.
Dr. Blanka Illes
International Family Mediator & Lawyer | Expert in International Divorce & High-Asset Settlements Berlin, GermanyYes, I will definitely recommend this webinar to colleagues. It provided a strong foundation in child-inclusive mediation, combining theoretical knowledge with practical exercises like roleplays and peer feedback. I see the difference in my approach between the first assignment and the final assignment. For me, this knowledge I get here at the training helped me overcome my initial fear of talking with children and gave me the confidence that I am able to do it without causing them harm.
Vicky Ladaki & Associates
Law & Mediation Cross Border Family Mediator ATHENS GREECEI would wholeheartedly recommend this to all mediators practicing family mediation. It offered us valuable knowledge, guidance, and hands-on experience on how to include the child’s voice in the mediation process. Even in countries like Greece, where Child-Inclusive Mediation (CIM) is not yet widely practiced, the insights we gained empowered us to conduct high-conflict cases involving children with more confidence and clarity. I feel empowered with new tools that I believe will make a real difference in my work as a family mediator.”
Course Fee & Sign Up
Full fee for the training is €400.
Deadline for applications is December 31st 2025;
The early bird registration deadline is the 15th of December 2025 and the fee is €350.
The fee for the Module 5- Inclusivity in Mediation, is €60 and the registration deadine is the 31th of December 2015. No early bird fees here.
We will send you the necessary information regarding the training and the payment as soon as we receive your application.
Please complete the attached application form if you would like to take the course and send the completed form, as soon as possible, because the places are limited.