Plymouth family mediation — MIAMs and finding an accredited mediator

Family mediation in Plymouth: what it covers, how MIAMs work, and how to find an FMC-accredited mediator near you.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-31

What family mediation covers

Family mediation is a way for separating or divorcing couples to sort out arrangements with the help of an impartial, trained mediator, rather than arguing everything out through solicitors or in court. It commonly covers:

Where children will live and how much time they spend with each parent
Financial matters — property, savings, pensions, debts and maintenance
Communication and co-parenting arrangements going forward

Mediation is voluntary. The mediator does not take sides or give legal advice to either of you; they help you both explore options and, if you reach agreement, can record it in a document (a memorandum of understanding) you can take to your own solicitors.

How MIAMs work in Plymouth

Before most family court applications, you must first attend a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). This requirement comes from section 10 of the Children and Families Act 2014, and applies to applications such as a C100 form (child arrangements, and other Section 8 orders) and Form A (financial remedy proceedings on divorce or dissolution).

In practice in Plymouth:

Each of you attends a separate individual MIAM — you do not sit in the same meeting as your ex-partner. The mediator explains how mediation works, checks whether it is suitable (for example, screening for domestic abuse) and assesses eligibility for legal aid.
Video MIAMs are widely available. Many mediators serving Plymouth and the surrounding towns (Saltash, Tavistock, Ivybridge, Liskeard) offer appointments by video call, which helps if travel across the Tamar is difficult.
If mediation is not suitable or does not go ahead, the mediator signs the relevant court form to confirm the MIAM requirement has been met.
If you do need to go to court, family cases for the area are heard at the Plymouth Combined Court Centre. The court will expect to see that the MIAM requirement has been addressed.

Using the FMC register to find a mediator

Only mediators accredited by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) can conduct MIAMs and sign the court forms. The FMC register lets you search by postcode or by mediator name, and filter for legal aid, online mediation and mediators qualified to see children:

FMC register search

Check any mediator you are considering is listed on the register before booking.

Legal aid and the mediation voucher scheme

Family mediation can be free or heavily subsidised:

Legal aid may cover mediation for you (and sometimes the other party's MIAM) if you receive certain benefits or are on a low income. Check quickly at gov.uk/check-legal-aid.
The family mediation voucher scheme provides a £500 voucher towards mediation costs where the dispute involves a child, regardless of legal aid status. See gov.uk/guidance/family-mediation for details of what is covered and how the mediator claims it.

Ask each mediator when you first contact them whether they offer legal aid mediation and accept the voucher scheme — not all do.

Verified mediator services in Plymouth

The following was verified via an independent local directory and the service's own site during research for this page. Individual verification of further local practices could not be completed this session — use the FMC register search and enter your postcode to find more accredited mediators.

Children 1st Mediation, 21 Phoenix Street, Plymouth PL1 3DN; tel 01752 396584 / 0800 061 4905; website children1stmediation.co.uk — address confirmed in the Plymouth Online Directory; site states all mediators are FMC-accredited (verified 2026-08-31).

Details can change; always confirm the mediator is currently on the FMC register before booking.

Not legal advice

This page is general information only and is not legal advice. Your situation is unique — speak to a qualified family solicitor or an accredited mediator before making decisions about children, money or property.

Official links

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.