The £500 Family Mediation Voucher Scheme: Free Support for Parents
If you are a parent in the UK trying to resolve disputes regarding your children, you may be eligible for a £500 government-funded voucher to help cover the cost of mediation.
Unlike Legal Aid, this scheme is not means-tested, meaning your income and savings do not
affect your eligibility. It is a time-limited offer designed to help families reach
"child-first" agreements without the delays and high costs of the family court system. All
our mediators all have access to the Government Family Mediation Voucher Scheme via Help 2
Mediate.
We help with:
Family • Workplace • Commercial • Probate • Property • Community
How the Voucher Scheme Works
The voucher is not a physical piece of paper sent to you. Instead, it is a financial contribution paid directly to us by the Ministry of Justice (MOJ).
Key Facts:
- Amount: Up to £500 per family/case (not per person).
- Availability: Available for all eligible families until the current funding pot is exhausted (recently extended for the 2026-27 period).
- Administration: We handle all the paperwork and applications on your behalf.
Do I Qualify for the Family Mediation Voucher?
The scheme is specifically targeted at disputes involving children . To qualify, your case must fall into one of these two categories:
- Child Arrangement Disputes: Any disagreement regarding where a child lives, who they see, or their general upbringing (schooling, holidays, etc.).
- Financial Matters (with children): You can use the voucher for financial disputes only if you are also mediating about child arrangements in the same process.
Note: If your dispute is only about money or property and does not involve children, you cannot use the voucher. However, you may still qualify for Legal Aid .
2-minute free assessment. No obligation
Step-by-Step: How to Claim Your £500 Voucher
Step 1: The MIAM
You must first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM).
- Important: The voucher does not cover the cost of the MIAM. You (or Legal Aid funding) must pay for this initial meeting.
Step 2: Assessment
We will check if your case is suitable for the scheme. If it is, we will ask for your consent to apply for the voucher. We will only apply when your mediator instructs us to.
Step 3: The Mediation Sessions
Once the voucher is approved, you proceed with your next joint mediation sessions. The first £500 of the joint session costs will be covered by the government.
Step 4: Direct Payment
After your mediation is finished, we claim the money back directly from the government. You only pay for any costs that exceed the £500 limit.
Why use the Voucher now?
The UK government committed £15 million to this scheme for the 2025-2026 period because it works. Statistics show that 70% of families using the voucher reach a successful agreement without ever needing to step foot in a courtroom.
Whilst funding is renewed for 2026-2027 there is no indication yet that it will continue after that date.
Mediation Voucher Scheme vs. LEGAL AID FUNDING : Which is better?
If you are on a low income, you should always check for Legal Aid first.
- Legal Aid is more comprehensive; it covers the MIAM, all sessions, and even some legal advice from a solicitor.
- The Voucher is better for those who "earn too much" for Legal Aid but still want help with costs.
- Can you use both? Yes! If one party has Legal Aid and the other does not, both can use the voucher to cover the cost of some joint sessions. Once exhausted, the party eligible for Legal Aid will continue to use that funding, whilst the non-eligible party will start to pay costs.
What the Mediation Voucher DOES and DOESN'T Cover |
|
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Covered by the Voucher ✅ (up to £500) |
NOT Covered by the Voucher ❌ |
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Joint mediation sessions |
The initial MIAM (assessment meeting) |
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Child-inclusive mediation |
Solicitor's fees or legal advice |
|
Drafting a Parenting Plan |
Court application fees |
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Professional mediator time |
Travel costs or child care during sessions |
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