Can I Get £500 Towards Family Mediation? The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme Explained
Updated: 7 days ago
If you are separated or separating and need help agreeing arrangements for your children, you may be able to receive up to £500 towards the cost of family mediation through the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, funded by the government.
For families in Eastbourne and the surrounding East Sussex area, this can make mediation a more affordable way of trying to resolve disagreements without going to court.
At Sussex Mediation House, we are often asked questions such as:
“Can I get the £500 mediation voucher?”
“Is the mediation voucher means-tested?”
“Can I use it for a MIAM?”
“Do my ex and I get £500 each?”
“Can it be used if we are also discussing finances?”
Here is what you need to know.
What is the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?
The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is a government-funded scheme designed to help families resolve disputes through mediation where appropriate.
If your case is eligible, the scheme can provide a contribution of up to £500 towards the cost of mediation sessions. At Sussex Mediation House this usually covers 2 joint mediation sessions (about 6 hours of mediation).
The scheme is continuing during the 2026–27 financial year, following confirmation of further government funding.
The aim is to help more separating families find solutions outside the Family Court.
Who can get the £500 mediation voucher?
The voucher is primarily intended for cases involving children and for those who have not used the voucher before.
Eligible cases include a dispute or application concerning a child, or a dispute concerning financial matters where there is also a dispute or application concerning a child.
Your mediator will discuss your circumstances with you and assess whether your case meets the requirements of the scheme.
So, for example, if you and your former partner cannot agree where your children will live, how much time they will spend with each parent, or arrangements for school holidays, mediation may potentially qualify.
If you are discussing arrangements for your children and need to resolve financial matters following your separation, the voucher may also be available.
Is the £500 mediation voucher means-tested?
No. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme is not based on how much you earn.
You can usually receive a voucher worth up to £500 regardless of your income, provided your case is eligible.
This is different from Legal Aid, which has separate financial eligibility requirements.
Do we get £500 each?
No.
This is an important point because the phrase “£500 mediation voucher” can be misunderstood.
The voucher provides up to £500 per family or case, rather than £500 for each person.
You and your former partner therefore cannot each claim a separate £500 voucher for the same case.
The contribution is put towards the cost of the mediation sessions.
Do I actually receive a £500 voucher?
No. There isn't a physical voucher and £500 isn't paid into your bank account.
If your case is eligible and you decide to proceed with mediation, your mediator deals with the application.
The funding is paid directly to the mediation provider rather than being given to you to spend.
That makes the process relatively straightforward for families.
Can I use the £500 voucher to pay for my MIAM?
No.
A MIAM – Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting – is not covered by the voucher.
A MIAM is the initial meeting you have with a mediator before mediation begins. It gives you an opportunity to explain your situation privately, learn more about mediation and discuss whether mediation may be appropriate.
If your case could qualify for the voucher scheme, your mediator can discuss this with you at your MIAM.
The voucher itself can then be used towards eligible mediation sessions, rather than the cost of the MIAM.
What if I only need help sorting out finances?
If your dispute is only about finances, with no child-related dispute or application, it will not normally qualify for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
That doesn't mean you can't use mediation.
Family mediation can still help separating and divorcing couples work through financial issues such as:
the family home, mortgages, savings, debts, pensions, maintenance and other assets.
You would simply need to fund the mediation in the usual way unless another form of funding, such as Legal Aid where eligible, is available.
If you have both child-related and financial issues, however, your case may qualify for the voucher. Your mediator can discuss this with you.
Does the voucher make mediation free?
Not necessarily.
The scheme contributes up to £500 towards the cost of mediation.
Whether that covers all of your mediation costs will depend on the mediator's fees, the type of mediation required and how many sessions you need. At Sussex Mediation House is usually covers 2 joint mediation sessions (roughly 3 hours of family mediation).
If your mediation costs exceed the voucher contribution, you may need to pay the remaining costs yourselves.
At Sussex Mediation House, we will explain the fees and how the voucher would apply before you proceed so that you understand the likely costs.
What happens if my ex doesn't want to mediate?
You can still contact a mediator yourself.
You don't need to wait until your former partner agrees before arranging your own initial meeting.
Mediation itself is voluntary, so ultimately both people need to be willing to participate. But you can attend your own MIAM and find out about your options even if your former partner is currently saying that they won't mediate.
If appropriate, the other person can then be invited to attend their own individual MIAM. After a MIAM, if mediation does not go ahead, you can get a MIAM certificate so you can apply to court for help with child arrangements, if required.
What kinds of child arrangements can we discuss?
Family mediation can help parents discuss many of the practical issues that arise after separation.
These might include where the children will live, how their time will be divided between parents, weekends and overnight stays, school holidays, Christmas and birthdays, collecting and returning the children, communication between parents, schooling and what happens when existing arrangements need to change.
Mediation doesn't mean a mediator decides what should happen.
The mediator is impartial and helps you have a structured discussion, explore options and see whether you can find arrangements that work for your family.
Does family mediation actually help people avoid court?
For many families, it does.
The Family Mediation Council reported a 69% success rate for family mediation. More precisely, this means 69% of families in mediation resolved issues and either did not go on to court or went to court only for a consent order. This goes up to 74% if children are included in mediation with Child Inclusive Mediation. Child Inclusive Mediation allows the child's voice to be heard by a neutral mediator - it is voluntary and children are not asked to make decisions.
This information is based on Ministry of Justice analysis of families using the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
Of course, mediation cannot guarantee an agreement and it will not be suitable for every situation.
But it can provide families with an opportunity to try to resolve matters themselves before asking a judge to make decisions for them.
How do I get a £500 mediation voucher in Eastbourne?
You don't need to apply to the government yourself.
The first step is to contact a family mediator.
At your MIAM, your mediator can discuss whether mediation is suitable for your circumstances and whether your case may be eligible for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.
If you proceed with mediation and meet the eligibility requirements, the mediator makes the voucher application.
Vouchers are subject to availability, so eligibility does not guarantee that funding will always be available.
Family Mediation in Eastbourne
Sussex Mediation House provides family mediation in Eastbourne, East Sussex, helping separating and separated parents work through child arrangements, divorce, separation and financial matters.
We provide MIAMs and family mediation, with appointments available online and in person.
If you are struggling to agree arrangements for your children and would like to know whether you could receive up to £500 towards family mediation, contact Sussex Mediation House.
You don't need to know whether you qualify before getting in touch. We can explain the process and discuss the voucher with you as part of your mediation journey. We are registed Family Mediators with the Family Mediation Council and the Family Mediators Association.
Helping families find a calmer way forward.
Next Steps?
Looking for family mediation in Eastbourne or East Sussex? Sussex Mediation House offers MIAMs, child arrangements mediation and divorce mediation. Contact us to arrange a free 15-minute consultation.
01323 406232
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