Welcome to our Schools Training Resource

This resource is aimed at members of school staff who liaise between school and home. However, the contents will be informative for all staff. 

The resource aims to raise your awareness of how conflict, as a result of family breakdown, can impact a child at home but also at school. It also aims to give you a greater understanding of how school and home can best support the child

NFM also offer free 40-minute sessions for Teachers and Support Staff to make them aware of the benefits of Mediation and to help them raise discussions with parents. Attendees will also learn more about Child Inclusive Mediation and the benefits that come with allowing the child(ren) to be heard.  If you would like to organise a session for you or your school please email us.

Our training resource contains information, practical suggestions and useful comments from Family Mediators who have first-hand experience of working with parents and children as home life breaks down.

The resource in each section consists of videos, documents for you to read and links to external resources we think you will find helpful.

Section 1 – What happens as a family breaks down and how it impacts a child.

Section 1 – What happens as a family breaks down and how it impacts a child.
  1. Please watch the Section 1 video here and consider taking some time to pause before you go on to the next section to consider what you take away from the content.
  2. Further Resources that you may find helpful :
    What is family mediation?
    Surviving the BreakUp : How Children and Parents Cope with Divorce – Wallerstein & Kelly Californian Study.
    What do children say when they are given a voice
    What might I feel
    Emotional Transitions for Children of Separating Parents

Section 2 – Behaviours and attitudes a child might show at home and at school

Section 2 – Behaviours and attitudes a child might show at home and at school.
  1. First watch the section 2 video here and then you may wish to read through the further resources below :
  2. Further Resources that you may find helpful:
    ACES – Adverse Childhood Experiences
    Place2Be Charity – Improving Children’s Mental Health
    Separation – 10 tips for parents to help children
    Separation – Children – What might I feel

Section 3 – Practical ways to communicate with the child

Section 3 – Practical ways to communicate with the child.
  1. Watch our section 3 video here and then you may wish to read through the further resources below :
  2. Further Resources you may find helpful :
    The Rights Idea? – Exeter University Study
    The Rights Idea? – Infographic (English)
    The Rights Idea? Infographic (Welsh)
    The Rights Idea? Children’s Rights When Parents Separate (Tom’s Story – video)
    CAFCASS – Listening to your child’s voice after separation
    Zones of Regulation Book
    The Crayons’ Book of Feelings – Video
    Printable Worksheets & Activities – Twinkl My Emotions – Wishes and Feelings
    Young Minds – Surviving School on the Spectrum
    VIDEO – Voices in the Middle – How to talk to your teenager about divorce and separation
    Agreeing a Parenting-Plan
    Parenting Plan – capturing what we have agreed
    Top-Tips for parents who are separated from children
    Books to help children understand divorce or separation

Section 4 – How Schools and Family Mediation can help

Section 4 – How schools and Family Mediation can help
  1. Watch our section 4 video here and then you may wish to read through the further resources below :
  2. Further Resources you may find helpful :
    Watch this short video below to see how Family Mediation works
    Read more about the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme
    Legal Aid For Mediation
    Twinkl Resource : I have 2 homes
    Twinkl Resource : My Personal Timeline
    CAFCASS ‘My Family’s Changing’ (For Younger Children)
    CAFCASS ‘ My Family’s Changing (For Older Children)
    ELSA Support
    ELSA Resources
    ELSA Network
    Twinkl Resources About ELSA
    Samaritans : Developing Emotional Awareness and Listening Resources
    Online Listening Training for School Staff
    Young Minds – What are – Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services
    Chilli Panda App – to help children with their stress and anxiety
    Kooth App – to support children with their mental health
    NHS Blue Ice App – for young people to help manage their emotions and to reduce urges to self-harm.
    Place2Be – Online Mental Health training for schools

How Can Family Mediation Help?

Other Helpful Resources 

If you require more information on Family Mediation, or would like to refer a parent to our services please complete the form below and one of our team will be in touch as soon as we can.