NFM (National Family Mediation) has welcomed the government’s decision to extend funding for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme until March 2026.
Offering up to £500 towards mediation costs for separating couples, the scheme has been a crucial lifeline for over 31,800 families in conflict since its introduction in 2021, providing a practical way to resolve disputes amicably and reducing the need for court intervention.
The extension of the scheme was announced by Lord Ponsonby, the Minister responsible for family justice, at a pre Family Mediation Week reception arranged by the Family Mediation Council earlier this week.
Government data shows the scheme has cost an estimated £15.9 million but saved around £85.6 million by diverting cases from court, significantly easing pressure on the overstretched court system.
Sarah Hawkins, NFM’s Chief Executive, highlighted the scheme’s importance: “The scheme has proved incredibly successful. The public purse cost saving is significant, but more importantly, it has made a real difference for thousands of families.
“After all, mediation is not just about avoiding court; it’s about giving parents a way to resolve their differences in a manner that benefits everyone, especially children. We’re pleased the government has recognised the value of extending this funding. It’s a positive step forward.”
While welcoming the extension, NFM cautions that the scheme’s future is uncertain without a clear long-term plan. The organisation is urging the government to use this extension period to assess the scheme’s success and put a sustainable funding model in place beyond March 2026.
“What NFM and other charities and campaigners desperately want to avoid is another cliff edge situation a year from now, where we’re all waiting for news about whether the funding will or will not be extended.
“Families are already under financial strain due to the cost-of-living crisis. For many, even though mediation is far cheaper than court, the upfront costs are simply unaffordable. The voucher scheme has been a lifeline, and its loss would leave families without viable options.
“We know that the government supports the scheme and the idea of accessible alternative dispute resolution, so we would urge them to also consider, sooner rather than later, what the longer-term plan is for the voucher scheme.”
Mediation offers more than a short-term solution to disputes. It can help build healthier family relationships, improving children’s mental health, educational outcomes, and long-term stability.
Research shows that reducing conflict between parents has significant positive effects on children. NFM is also calling for the scheme to be expanded to include child-inclusive mediation, where children are directly involved in the process. Studies have demonstrated that this leads to more sustainable outcomes and reduces the emotional impact on children.
“Looking to the future, we also need to consider how we support families to maintain amicable relations as their lives move on and evolve,” Sarah added.
“Lately, we have been contacted by a significant number of families who used the voucher scheme when they first broke up and now want to revisit mediation to agree on solutions for the next chapter.
“ We need to be realistic about what support is funded, but this is something we hope the government considers as part of its ongoing efforts to alleviate pressure on the courts and address the wider cost of family relationship breakdowns on society.”