Welcome to the NFM Foundation Training Programme

Before you can register for the full NFM Foundation Training Programme you will need to attend our one-day preparation course “Training as a Family Mediator: NFM Introduction Day”. You will find details of current dates and opportunities on our ‘courses’ page. Attendance counts towards your NFM Foundation Training Programme.

About the NFM Foundation Training Programme

We understand changing career and learning new skills can be challenging, especially if you are juggling an already busy schedule. That is why we have structured our course to aid your learning but to ensure you still achieve the highest quality of training, skill and qualification to enable you to become an effective mediator.

It takes place over four modules over approximately four months. The course is structured so that it uses a range of teaching styles and techniques. Some work is completed through distance learning using our online classroom. This gives you the flexibility to undertake the tasks and assignments at a time and pace most suited to your needs.

You will however have to complete the distance learning modules before attending the group work modules. The distance learning modules take around 20 hours per module to complete, and we allow approximately 30 days for each module. The group work modules follow the distance learning programme and give you an opportunity to put theory into practice.

Throughout the course you will be given access to our expert trainers, all of whom are experienced family mediators and accredited trainers.

Each module is aimed at giving you the skills and knowledge you will need to start your new career. Each module covers new ground so that by the end of the course you will have a complete understanding of the work of family mediators.

For full learning outcomes of each module click here.

It is essential that you attend all four modules. There are occasions when exceptional circumstances prevent completion of the four modules, however, experience shows that trainees who progress as prescribed complete the course with a much better grasp of the skills and work of family mediators than those who, for whatever reason, have to break the continuity of the programme. Please see our terms and conditions for more information.

All modules are assessed, and at the end of the course you will be provided with an assessment of your performance with an outline of your areas of strength and areas for future development.

We will provide you with support to help you pass the course and in the unlikely event that you do not pass the course, you will be given opportunities to improve in the areas identified by the trainers. Please see our FAQs for more information.

Completing the NFM Foundation Training Programme is the first part of training to be a mediator. Thereafter you will be required to submit a portfolio to the Family Mediation Council (FMC) to achieve full accreditation. You will need to undertake an extended period of supervised casework practice, working with a Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) and/or co-mediator in accordance with the Family Mediation Council Standards and Self-Regulatory Framework. You will have up to three years to complete this supervised practice from the end of your training. More information on the steps post-training can be found on the FMC website here.

Please read the training criteria requirements before applying for this course.  You must also have the ability to understand and use an adequate level of written and spoken English.  Unless you are proposing to work exclusively with a community whose native language is not English, this will need to be at a native or near-native level at the point of accreditation (CEFR Level C2). As this course will be delivered virtually, you will need to be computer literate and have access to a computer.

If you have any further questions about this training programme, you may find the answers on our training FAQs page here.

If you are ready to register for the NFM Foundation Training Programme, please see the available course dates below, and complete the booking form at the foot of this page.

Opportunities for work post-training

At NFM we offer a limited number of training contracts. Once you have successfully completed the NFM Foundation Training Programme you will be eligible to apply. More information about the scheme is available in the training programme itself. If you work for NFM or with an NFM member service you will automatically achieve membership of NFM. NFM is a founding member of The Family Mediation Council. To be able to register with the FMC you must first belong to a member organisation. More information about registration with the FMC is available in the training programme.

November 2022 – February 2023 course dates:

  • Intro Webinar – 1 hour – Wednesday 2nd November – 10.00am
  • Module 1 – Distance learning via online classroom, starts 1st November, work deadline 22nd November – 6.00pm
  • Module 2 – delivered in half days via Zoom on 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th December 9.00-1.00pm. Delegates must attend all sessions
  • Module 3 – Distance learning via online classroom, starts 3rd January 2023, work deadline 24th January, 6.00pm
  • Module 4 – delivered in half days via Zoom on 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 7th February 2023 : 9.00 am – 1.00 pm, plus one full day via Zoom, 6th February, 9.00 am – 5.30 pm.

The cost for this full training programme is £2,750 per person and a deposit of £770 is required to secure a place. Full payment must be made before the start of the course. If you are unable to attend all of the dates as published additional charges may apply.

To book a place on the course beginning on 1 November 2022, please complete the online booking form below.

Please do read our online training policy before you book.

To view and book other available dates please return to the main courses webpage 

To find out more call 0300 4000 636 or email [email protected]

Testimonials from previous delegates :

‘The trainers complemented each other really well. They were really excellent’ 

‘I could not have asked for better trainers. I thoroughly enjoyed learning from them and their experience’

‘The online sessions were so helpful and to have interaction with the trainers and other learners was great’

‘Really excellent and knowledgeable trainers’  ‘Loved the online training, being able to work at my own pace around my busy schedule was just brilliant’

‘Excellent training material and handouts which made the learning process very manageable’

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