Supportive Co-Parenting Mediation in Leeds
Ensuring Quality Family Time After Separation
Navigate co-parenting with confidence and compassion. Our expert co-parenting mediation in Leeds helps separated parents build effective parenting plans—without going to court. Family Mediation works by creating a process so families can negotiate future arrangements for children with the help of a neutral third party. Mediation does not exist to tell you what to do; instead, it helps you reach your agreements amicably while trying to improve communication between you.
It is voluntary, impartial, confidential, child-focused, and parents are always in charge.
Why Choose Mediation for Co-Parenting?
When parents separate, the emotional impact can be overwhelming for both the adults and the children involved. Our specialist mediation for co-parenting in Leeds offers a safe, neutral space to plan how you’ll continue parenting together, even if your relationship has changed.
At Turning Point Mediation, our expertise lies in co-parenting mediation that prioritises the well-being of your children, while reducing conflict and costly court battles. Our family mediation office is in Leeds, however, we work with families across the UK, providing both online and in-person services to help you reach practical, lasting solutions.
What is Co-Parenting Mediation?
Co-parenting mediation is a structured, confidential process that helps separated or divorced parents agree on key decisions for their children. A trained mediator works with both parents to:
Establish parenting schedules and holiday arrangements
Decide how major decisions will be made jointly (e.g. education, healthcare)
Improve communication and reduce misunderstandings
Prevent or resolve disputes without involving the courts
Unlike a court ruling, the outcome is shaped by you, focused on your children’s best interests.
Why Families Entrust Turning Point Mediation
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Led by founder Anna Robinson, TPM brings personal experience and professional accreditation to every case. Anna’s background in family care means she recognises the emotional dynamics involved and offers empathetic, down-to-earth support.
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Court battles can cost families tens of thousands of pounds. Our mediation services typically cost considerably less, saving you money, time, and stress.
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We provide family mediation in Leeds, available elsewhere in the UK. Online sessions are available for added flexibility.
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Everything we do is centred around creating a better future for your children, giving them stability and security post-separation.
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Unlike many providers, we offer post-mediation support—checking in after your case is closed to ensure your parenting plan is working for everyone involved.
The Benefits of Mediation for Parents
Choosing mediation for parents brings significant advantages:
Avoid long court processes and reduce the emotional toll on your children
Maintain control over decisions that affect your family
Improve communication, setting the foundation for long-term co-parenting
Create detailed parenting plans that reflect your unique family needs
Our goal is to empower both parents to move forward confidently—together.
How Family Mediation Works
The Co-Parenting Mediation Process – Step by Step
Step 1: Book a MIAM (Mediation Information & Assessment Meeting)
A private, one-to-one meeting with the mediator.
Each parent attends separately.
Discuss your situation, explore mediation suitability, and understand the next steps.
Step 2: Begin Mediation Sessions
Joint sessions are arranged if both parties agree to proceed.
You can choose:
Face-to-face mediation
Online mediation
Shuttle mediation (you’re in separate rooms and the mediator moves between you)
Step 3: Identify Issues & Explore Solutions
With the help of your mediator, both parents discuss key topics (e.g., parenting schedules, holidays, decision-making).
You’ll be guided to think through practical solutions that work for everyone, especially the children.
Step 4: Drafting the Agreement
If an agreement is reached, your mediator prepares a Memorandum of Understanding summarising what’s been agreed.
If finances are involved, an Open Financial Summary will also be prepared with full disclosure.
Step 5: Make it Legally Binding (Optional)
While mediation agreements aren’t automatically enforceable, you can apply for a Consent Order to formalise your agreement in court.
This is a separate legal step and may involve additional legal support.
Step 6: Ongoing Support
Post-mediation check-ins are available to ensure your agreement is working smoothly.
Our team can signpost you to related services, such as legal professionals or counsellors, if needed.
Exploring Mediation Styles That Fit Your Needs
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A mediator’s role is to facilitate communication and collaboration in a calm and neutral space. With a 70% success rate, mediation is considered the cheapest alternative to family court after DIY agreements. It’s much easier to reach a conclusion that works for both parties with the presence of a trained mediator. Although they can’t force either person to participate, nor tell you what to do, your mediator will help you understand important factors that need to be considered.
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Also known as ‘lawyer assisted’, ‘supported’ or ‘integrative’ mediation, hybrid mediation is where you or your partner has their lawyer present at a mediation session. This means that, even if one person doesn’t have a lawyer, the mediator will still be there as a neutral third party to help everyone reach the fairest agreement.
With a lawyer present, legally binding documents can be produced there and then, making things as straightforward as possible. However, it can sometimes be difficult to organise a session with at least four people to work around.
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If you want to involve your child in important family issues, child-inclusive mediation is a great option for children from the age of 10. The mediator will listen to their wants and needs, passing these onto both parents with the child’s consent.
Whilst your child won’t be making decisions about who looks after them, they’ll havethe chance to express how they feel, which can better inform parents’ choices.
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With collaborative family law, each partner will bring their own lawyer to the session, where both legal professionals work together to get the best outcome. Instead of working against each other or thinking tactically, any legal advice will be shared openly. This promotes better communication and a more positive relationship between ex partners. Having the presence of two legal professionals means that any decisions made will be extremely well-informed. However, legal costs can quickly add up.
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As a similar alternative to collaborative law/practice, a round table is where both partners and their lawyers work together to get the best outcome for everyone involved.
In this case, however, lawyers don’t need to be trained in collaborative law. This means that, if they’re not collaboratively trained, they may still resort to tactical moves and refuses to share legal advice with the other party.
FAQs
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Mediation sessions typically involve both parents and a trained mediator. Sessions are confidential, structured, and focused on finding agreement. You’ll discuss parenting schedules, communication styles, and how to handle future decisions together. Most families see results in as few as 2–4 sessions.
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The agreement reached in mediation isn’t legally binding unless you convert it into a Consent Order. We can guide you through this process, including referrals to fixed-fee legal services.
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Yes. In fact, co-parenting mediation is particularly helpful when communication has broken down. Your mediator acts as a neutral third party, ensuring each parent has a voice and keeping the focus on the children.
Our Qualifications and Accreditations
Our approach to mediation is Inspired by ‘(Almost) Anything But Family Court’, a fantastic book written by Jo O’Sullivan
Book Our Family Mediation Services in Leeds Today
Whether you’ve just separated or have been struggling with co-parenting for some time, Turning Point Mediation is here to help. Let’s create a parenting plan that protects your child’s future, without the stress of court. Get in touch to arrange a free consultation.