Eligibility for training

Selection for Mediation Training – Professional and Discretionary Routes

The Family Mediators Association (FMA) primarily select candidates for training from the family law, social science or therapy/counselling professions. All disciplines must be educated to degree level or equivalent and hold a recognised qualification. Candidates must have been qualified for at least three years in one of the above areas and at least 50% of their workload must have been working within family law or working with families and/or couples.

Candidates who do not meet the above criteria may also be eligible via our ‘discretionary route’. This route is aimed at those who can demonstrate sufficient and appropriate evidence of suitability for family mediator training. Suitability may be through past professional activity, particular responsibilities held, experience and/or training in another area of mediation practice, but must be within a professional capacity.

Discretionary candidates should submit a full and detailed application supported by a short statement indicating and/or evidencing their reasons why they feel they are suitable for family mediation training and what their relevant experience entails.

All delegates are required to provide details of two referees, who can comment on professional knowledge and competence, as well as personal and professional suitability and attributes. One of your referees may be a personal referee, but must not be a relative.

For discretionary candidates, if you are evidencing your suitability for training through a particular position held, at least one of your referees must have knowledge of and be in support of this particular evidence.

All candidates should complete the section on the Application Form detailing how they anticipate establishing a family mediation practice.

For any applications that are unsuccessful, full feedback will be given as to the training panel’s decision. Advice will be given on alternative training courses or work experience that the delegate may benefit from, in order to improve their chances of any further application for family mediation training being accepted.

These courses are often over subscribed, therefore candidates must fulfil the above criteria to be considered for a training place.