Family Relationship Mediation
A growing number of young people are either leaving home or being asked to leave home or have already left home, due to a deterioration in relationships between family members and/or a growing resentment towards others becoming part of the family unit. Difficulties between young people and their families can cause unhappiness, tension and stress.
Mediation is worthwhile at any stage; however, early intervention can help to prevent hardened attitudes and positions from forming and/or growing.
Even where the young person can no longer live at home, it can still be possible to develop a good relationship with other family members. Establishing or re-establishing good communication is the key.
What happens in the mediation process?
After a referral is received, two mediators visit each family member concerned, separately, with a view to, wherever possible, getting those involved to agree to meet face-to-face together with the mediators in order to try to reach an agreement.
For mediation to work, the family members concerned must be willing to take part.
Family Relationships Mediation Projects have been extremely successful in reducing the number of young people leaving home and getting caught up in the homelessness system. Also, it has helped young people and their families to communicate and deal with conflict more effectively.
