If there is one bit of free help worth knowing about, it is this. The Family Mediation Voucher gives you up to £500 from the government towards mediation about arrangements for your children, and it has just been confirmed to continue for another year.
What it is
A one-off voucher of up to £500 towards the cost of mediation about your children. The big things to know:
- It is not means-tested. It does not matter what you earn, it is one voucher per case.
- It is for disputes about children (where they live, the time they spend with each parent, and so on).
- The Ministry of Justice confirmed funding for the 2026-27 financial year (announced on 27 March 2026), so it is available now. Longer-term funding is not guaranteed, so the sensible move is to use it while it is here.
Why it is worth it
Around two-thirds of families who have used the voucher reached a full or partial agreement without going to court. Mediation is cheaper, faster and far calmer than a courtroom, and it keeps the decisions with the two of you rather than handing them to a judge. For the children, that is almost always the better outcome.
How to use it
You start with a MIAM (a short Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting) with an authorised mediator. If your case is eligible and about children, the mediator applies the voucher towards the cost. You can find a registered mediator through the Family Mediation Council.
There is wording to help you suggest it to the other parent in proposing mediation.
Source
The Family Mediation Council confirmed the scheme’s funding for 2026-27 on 27 March 2026. See the Family Mediation Council announcement and GOV.UK: Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
Information, not legal advice. Scheme funding and eligibility can change, so check the official links above before you rely on anything here.