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The voice of a child can be a powerful force in Mediation

8th November 2018 by Kenneth Clarke

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One of the joys of my job is child consultation. We see many children throughout the year at the request of their parents and the experience for both children and parents is empowering and enlightening.

This is because children will often express feelings, concerns and fears that they have not been able to share with their parents, either because they fear a backlash, or simply because they do not want to hurt either parent.

When parents hear the feedback from a child consultation it can come as a revelation. “I never knew they were worried about that”, or “I didn’t know that’s how they were feeling” are common responses.

The power of the child’s voice in mediation cannot be underestimated. It can represent a turning point in their parent’s conflict, the voice of reason in hostile deadlock and impasse created by antipathy towards the other parent rather than on what is best for the child.

Recently a 14-year-old girl opened her heart out in a child consultation. She felt she was taking the brunt of her mother’s anger at dad having left the marriage. She was struggling to cope and having counselling (as was the mother)

The feedback made uncomfortable hearing for mum. Dad did not try and use the feedback to wrestle full care from mum. In fact, he was desperate for mum to work through her issues with her daughter. I gave clear guidelines to mum to try and help her empathise and connect with her daughter’s feelings, rather than see her comments as criticism and rejection.

Unfortunately, mum’s own issues prevented her from focusing on her daughters needs and a few days after the feedback session we received a call from her daughter. Mum had expressed disappointment and said her daughter had let the family down.

However, to mum’s credit, she recognises that she has to find a way to manage her emotions better and re-build bridges with her daughter. So I have arranged a face to face meeting with me, mum and daughter. Strict rules will be enforced by the mediator. Mum will listen and not interrupt, then I will offer strategies and suggestions to help mum and daughter work together to re-engage with each other and restore harmony.

I cant yet tell you the result, however we achieve high levels of success in the majority of our children disputes, so I have high hopes this will be one of them.

For further information on our Family Mediation services please click here. 

Kenneth Clarke

Senior Associate — Family Mediation

Direct dial: 01202 377993

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Kenneth Clarke
  • “Came to Laceys Mediation after my previous solicitor wasn’t living up to expectations. Laceys Mediation was the best decision I ever made, Kenneth Clarke is some awesome mediator, he was so patient and his knowledge was very helpful. Thank you all for your support.”

    Rejoice Aggor-Mensa

  • “I was very happy with the sensitive way the issues around my divorce was handled by Kenneth Clarke. I was also more than satisfied with the way my daughter, Nina, was spoken to and helped her voice to be heard in the decision making process.”

    Brian Charles Hart

  • “What could have potentially been an extremely upsetting and inflammatory scenario, proved to be a surprisingly smooth and conflict free process through Laceys Mediation. With Kenneth’s extensive experience we were able to reach an agreeable outcome without spending our life savings!”

    Julie Morris

  • “Kenneth went that extra mile to explain and reiterate it to other party. outstanding and so very professional.”

    Lee Emm

Kenneth is the elder statesman of our mediation team, with forty years’ experience as a family lawyer, and qualified as a mediator in 1996. Kenneth has been a key member of the Laceys mediation team since 2005, specialising in financial and children cases, with a particular interest and specialisation in high conflict cases.

Kenneth is also qualified to consult with children, a growing part of the mediation process. Always looking to expand the boundaries of mediation practice,  Kenneth brings a degree of gravitas, humour, understanding and empathy when he mediates with clients,  creating a positive environment in which clients work together to resolve their issues quickly and cost-effectively.

Out of office hours, Kenneth’s main passion is writing musical theatre. When he has time Kenneth also enjoys travel, especially cruising.

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