Child Consultancy Service
Our Child Consultancy Service supports parents to bring children’s voices thoughtfully and safely into the family dispute resolution (FDR) process. We work alongside families to help parents better understand their children’s experiences, needs, and perspectives during times of separation or conflict, without placing children in the middle.
Using a developmentally informed and child-focused approach, our consultant meets with children in a supportive, age-appropriate way and provides feedback that can guide more informed, child-centred decision-making. This process helps parents move beyond assumptions, reduce conflict, and build arrangements that are more likely to work in practice.
Child-inclusive FDR is not about asking children to make decisions, it’s about ensuring their individual and unique voices and needs are heard and considered. Our service aims to strengthen parental insight, promote healthier communication, and support outcomes that prioritise children’s wellbeing.
Child Consultancy Services - FAQ
What is a Child Consultant?
A child consultant is a trained professional who brings a child-focused perspective into family dispute resolution, particularly in matters involving separation, parenting arrangements, or ongoing conflict. This role enhances child consultancy by providing parents with insights into the child’s experience, needs, and feelings regarding the separation, helping them understand how to create a post-separation family environment that works well for the child.
Typically, a child consultant will:
- Meet with the child (or children) in a safe, supportive, and age-appropriate way.
- Explore how the child is experiencing the family situation.
- Provide feedback to the parents and mediator about the child’s developmental needs and perspectives.
- Help keep discussions focused on what is in the child’s best interests.
Importantly, a child consultant does not ask children to choose between parents or make decisions about arrangements. Instead, they translate the child’s voice into meaningful insights that can guide more informed, child-focused mediation and outcomes.
Child-Inclusive FDR vs Child-Informed FDR
Child-inclusive family dispute resolution (FDR) is a process where a trained child consultant engages directly with your child in a safe, supportive, and age-appropriate manner. The child consultancy allows the consultant to gather valuable insights about the child's experiences, needs, and perspectives, which are then communicated to parents. This helps parents make informed, child-centred decisions without placing the child in the middle or requiring them to choose between parents.
On the other hand, child-informed FDR involves a family mediator who guides and supports parents to prioritize the child’s best interests during decision-making. This approach takes place within the mediation process without directly involving the child's voice.
Determining the most suitable approach depends on your family’s unique circumstances. Child-inclusive FDR can provide critical insights into your child’s lived experience, often leading to more tailored outcomes. Conversely, child-informed FDR may be more appropriate in situations involving high conflict, safety concerns, or very young children, where direct involvement is not suitable.
What are the benefits of Child-Inclusive FDR?
Child-focused mediation within family dispute resolution (FDR) can assist parents by:
- Gaining a clearer understanding of their child’s perspective through effective child consultancy.
- Reducing conflict by focusing on shared goals.
- Developing more practical and sustainable parenting arrangements.
- Keeping the child’s wellbeing at the centre of decision-making.
Will my child be asked to make decisions?
No. In both approaches, children are never asked to make decisions about parenting arrangements or to take sides. The goal of child consultancy and child-focused mediation is to support parents in better understanding and responding to their child’s needs during family dispute resolution.
What is the process for Child-Inclusive FDR?
Child-inclusive family dispute resolution (FDR) follows a structured, supportive process designed to ensure children’s voices are heard safely and appropriately through child consultancy.
1. Initial intake and assessment
Each parent meets separately with the child consultant to discuss the family situation, identify any risks or concerns, and determine whether child-inclusive FDR is suitable. This step ensures the process is safe and appropriate for everyone involved.
2. Preparation with parents
Parents are guided through what to expect, including how children are involved and how feedback will be shared in the context of child-focused mediation. Clear agreements are made about confidentiality and the purpose of the child consultant’s role. Both parents must consent to their child's participation.
3. Child consultation session
A trained child consultant meets with the child (or children) in a relaxed, age-appropriate setting. The focus is on helping the child feel comfortable to share their experiences. All communication between the child consultant and child remain confidential.
4. Consultant feedback to parents
The child consultant provides carefully considered feedback to the parents (usually prior to a mediation session). This feedback highlights the child’s needs, feelings, and experiences in a way that supports greater understanding of the child's needs, placing parents in a more informed position to make decisions that are in the best interest of their children.
5. Mediation and decision-making
Parents continue with FDR, using the insights gained from the child consultancy to guide discussions and develop parenting arrangements that better reflect their child’s needs. A child consultant can be involved in this process to support parents in continually reflecting on the child's experiences and needs.