Child-centred Family Dispute Resolution with restorative preparation to support more productive and sustainable agreements.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)
What about the children? What about the house? What happens next?
Separation is often one of the most difficult periods in adult life. Most people never expected to be here — especially when children are involved.
Alongside the emotional impact, there are practical decisions to make about parenting, living arrangements and the future. When communication has broken down, these conversations can feel overwhelming.
Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) is a structured process that helps separated parents (and sometimes other family members) reach workable agreements that prioritise the best interests of the children.
Legal advice is always recommended alongside the FDR process.
I offer Family Dispute Resolution locally, without long wait times or unnecessary complexity. Support is tailored to your family’s circumstances.
How FDR Can Help
FDR provides a calm, impartial space to:
- work toward sustainable agreements
- discuss parenting arrangements
- reduce conflict
- clarify practical decisions
- keep children’s needs clearly in view
My Approach
Over the years, I have observed that when parents enter joint FDR sessions while still carrying unresolved hurt, anger or mistrust, progress can be slow and conflict can escalate.
For this reason, I often recommend a Restorative Practice preparation phase before joint mediation begins.
This structured process provides each parent with space to:
- feel heard without interruption
- acknowledge the impact of the relationship breakdown
- address the root causes of ongoing conflict
- restore a level of mutual respect
- shift from reactivity toward constructive problem-solving
The purpose is not reconciliation, and not rebuilding the relationship as partners. It is about stabilising the emotional field so that parenting discussions can be more focused, respectful and effective.
In my experience, when this preparation is completed well, formal FDR becomes significantly more productive and sustainable.
Where appropriate, we then move into the structured Family Dispute Resolution process to finalise parenting arrangements and agreements.
Child Inclusive Practice
All parents want the best for their children — and sometimes it can be hard to see clearly what children are experiencing during separation.
Where appropriate (this is my preferred way of working), I offer Child Inclusive Practice.
This involves meeting with your child or children in a safe and supported way so their experiences and needs can be gently understood. Feedback is then provided to parents, focusing only on what children are comfortable sharing, along with guidance to help you support them through the transition.
Additional Support
If separation stress or conflict is significantly impacting the process, individual counselling to either or both parents or the children may be recommended to support emotional adjustment and decision-making.
When agreement is reached, I can prepare a Parenting Plan.
If FDR is assessed as not suitable for your situation, a Section 60I certificate can be issued to enable application to the Family Court.
To read more about the fees and the FDR process structure, please click here.