Family Mediation Voucher Scheme 2026: What London Families Need to Know

What Is the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme?

The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme was introduced in March 2021 by the Ministry of Justice to help separating families resolve disputes without going to court. The idea was straightforward: offer a financial contribution towards mediation costs to reduce the pressure on already overstretched family courts and, more importantly, to help families reach agreements more quickly and with less conflict.

Since its launch, the scheme has been extended several times, reflecting both its popularity and its effectiveness. The Family Mediation Voucher Scheme 2026 extension, now confirmed to run into 2027, means that London families going through separation still have access to real financial support when they need it most.

The voucher covers up to £500 per family (not per person) and is applied directly by your mediator to the cost of your sessions. You do not receive the money yourself, and you do not need to fill in a separate application form. The process is handled by your Family Mediation Council (FMC) accredited mediator at the start of your mediation.

Who Is Eligible for the Voucher in 2026?

Eligibility for the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme 2026 is tied to the nature of your dispute, not your income. The key criteria are:

• The case involves a child arrangements dispute, such as where a child lives, how much time they spend with each parent, schooling decisions, or holiday arrangements.
• At least one of the parties has not previously attended mediation under the voucher scheme.
• Both parties are willing to attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) as a starting point.
• The mediator is FMC accredited and is registered to claim vouchers under the scheme.

Some cases involving a linked financial issue may also be eligible, provided there is a children element. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies, the best first step is to book a MIAM with an accredited mediator who can assess eligibility with you directly.

It is worth noting that the voucher does not cover the MIAM itself. The financial contribution applies to the joint mediation sessions that follow, once both parties have attended their individual MIAMs and agreed to proceed. You can read more about MIAMs in London and what to expect from the process.

What Does the £500 Voucher Cover?

The £500 voucher is applied to the cost of joint mediation sessions, shared between both parties. In practice, this means the voucher contribution reduces what each of you pays for those sessions combined, rather than being split £250 each.

Mediation sessions in London typically cost between £100 and £200 per person per hour, so a £500 contribution can make a meaningful difference, particularly for families in areas like Southwark, Lambeth, or Croydon where the cost of professional services in general is high.

Most disputes involving child arrangements are resolved within two to four joint sessions. That means in many cases, the voucher covers a substantial portion, or in some cases the majority, of the total mediation cost for your family.

The voucher does not cover:

• Individual MIAMs (each party pays for their own MIAM separately)
• Legal advice outside of mediation
• Consent order drafting or other legal documentation
• Any sessions attended by only one party

If you reach an agreement through mediation and want to make it legally binding, you may want to consider a consent order, which is a separate legal document. Family Law Service can help with this at a fixed fee.

How Does the Voucher Scheme Work in Practice?

The process is simpler than many families expect. Here is how it works, step by step, when you use London Mediation Service.

Step 1: Book a MIAM

Both parties attend a separate individual MIAM with our mediator. This is a one-to-one meeting where the mediator explains the mediation process, assesses whether your case is suitable, and confirms eligibility for the voucher. MIAMs at London Mediation Service are available at our Waterloo (Central London) and St Pancras (North London) offices, as well as Sutton (South London). Online MIAMs are also available if that works better for you.

Step 2: Confirm Voucher Eligibility

At the MIAM, your mediator will confirm whether your case meets the eligibility criteria for the scheme. If it does, they will register the voucher on your behalf using the government portal. You do not need to do anything extra at this stage.

Step 3: Begin Joint Sessions

Once both parties have completed their MIAMs and agreed to proceed, joint mediation sessions begin. The £500 voucher is applied to the cost of these sessions automatically. Your invoices will reflect the reduced amount.

Step 4: Reach an Agreement

Most families using family mediation services in London reach an agreement within two to four sessions. Your mediator will produce a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) summarising what has been agreed, which can then be reviewed by a solicitor and used as the basis for a court order if needed.

The Voucher Scheme Extension: What the 2026 to 2027 Update Means for London Families

The decision to extend the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme into 2027 is genuinely good news for families across London. The scheme has helped tens of thousands of families resolve disputes since 2021, and its continued funding reflects the evidence that mediation works. It reduces court backlogs, it saves families money, and, perhaps most importantly, it tends to lead to better long-term outcomes for children than contested court proceedings.

For London families in particular, the cost of living pressures are real. Whether you are navigating a separation in Hackney, Haringey, or Hammersmith, the £500 voucher can make a real practical difference to whether professional mediation is within reach.

Does the Voucher Scheme Apply to Financial Mediation?

This is one of the most common questions we receive. The short answer is: sometimes.

The scheme was designed primarily to support families with children disputes. However, if your case includes both a children element and a financial issue, the voucher may apply to those linked sessions. Pure financial mediation, covering divorce finances, property, or pension splitting with no children component, is generally not covered.

If you are dealing with financial matters alongside a children dispute, it can be helpful to explore both strands in mediation together. Our mediators at London Mediation Service are experienced in both child arrangements mediation and financial mediation, and can help you understand what the voucher will and will not apply to in your specific situation.

Is Mediation Compulsory in 2026?

From April 2024, attending a MIAM became a requirement before most applications to the family court, including applications for child arrangements orders. Under the Children and Families Act 2014, this requirement has been in place for some time, but changes to Practice Direction 3A strengthened how strictly it is applied.

In practice, this means that if you are considering making a court application, you will almost certainly need to attend a MIAM first. There are exemptions in cases involving domestic abuse, urgency, or other specified circumstances, but these are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

The good news is that a MIAM is not a commitment to full mediation. It is simply a meeting where the process is explained and suitability is assessed. Many families who come to a MIAM expecting to go straight to court find that mediation is a faster and less stressful route to an agreement.

Why Choose London Mediation Service for the Voucher Scheme?

London Mediation Service is part of the Mediate UK network, one of the UK’s leading family mediation providers. Our mediators are fully accredited by the Family Mediation Council and are registered to apply the government voucher to your sessions.

We have offices across London, making professional mediation accessible to families across the city regardless of which borough you are in. Sessions are available in person at our Waterloo, St Pancras, and Sutton offices, as well as online for those who prefer to meet remotely. You can view our full mediation services in London to see what is available.

Our team also has direct access to family law solicitors and fixed-fee legal packages through Family Law Service, meaning that if you need legal support alongside your mediation, such as reviewing your MOU or drafting a consent order, you do not need to start from scratch with a new firm.

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