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Parenting Plan Mediation That Puts Your Children First
When parents separate, decisions about the children matter most. Every child deserves stability and love, even when family life looks different. Our parenting plan mediation helps separated parents reach a child-focused agreement with less stress and conflict, and significantly lower cost, than going to court.
As accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners we provide parenting plan mediation services that guide both parents through a respectful, collaborative conversation leading to practical, lasting arrangements that work for your family, without the cost or delays of the Family Court process.
What Is Parenting Plan Mediation?
Working out arrangements after separation can feel difficult and overwhelming. Mediation for a parenting plan gives both parents a calm, neutral space to talk through their concerns and reach an agreement on raising their children together after separation.
These conversations usually cover daily parenting routines, time with each parent, how the children will stay in touch during time apart, the activities and hobbies each parent will support, community engagement, the home-school relationship, and any other matter relevant to supporting the best interests of the children.
What Should Be Included In A Parenting Plan?
A child-focused parenting plan includes how your child will be cared for after the parents separate. Below, we’ve included factors from a typical parenting plan that should usually be included.
Living Arrangements & Time-Sharing
This clarifies where your child will live and how the parenting responsibilities will work between both parents. It helps create a consistent routine so your child can feel secure and know exactly what to expect week by week.
Major Decisions (Schooling, Health, Religion)
A parenting plan often includes the decision making process about your child's education, medical care and cultural or religious upbringing. This avoids future conflicts and ensures both parents stay actively involved in their child's daily life.
Holidays, Birthdays & Special Days
This includes birthdays, special occasions, and school holiday arrangements, so your child can enjoy every moment without stress. Planning these helps both parents and children look forward to special days with confidence.
Communication & Handovers
This includes how your child stays in touch with the other parent during time apart, by phone, video call, or messages, and how changeovers happen. It can also include how the parents communicate with each other.
Resolving Future Issues
Family circumstances change. A strong child-centred parenting plan includes an agreed process for handling future issues, so issues don't escalate and the focus stays on the child's wellbeing.
Childcare & Backup Arrangements
This section includes arrangements for emergencies or contingencies when the unexpected happens. It can include lines of communication, noting trusted adults to turn to for support, and living arrangements around longer term issues that can impact on parenting time and responsibilities.
Extended Family & New Relationships
Relationships with grandparents, siblings, and extended family matter to your child. A parenting plan can also set clear, respectful expectations around new partners, helping your child feel supported through every change.
Tips For A Successful Parenting Plan Mediation
Creating a successful parenting plan and making it work requires long-term commitment, flexibility and consideration of children’s needs. Here are some practical tips to help you build a parenting plan.
Understand your child's Best Interests
Start every conversation with one question: what is best for my child? Consider their age, friendships, schooling, emotional needs and routine, not what feels convenient for you as a parent in the decision-making process. It is also vital that you identify, consider and cater for future needs.
Willing to Compromise
Parenting after separation will require real flexibility and the same is true if you’re trying to mediate successfully. Compromising on the same level can create a healthier and fairer arrangement for co-parenting.
Maintain Respectful Communication
Clear, respectful communication helps parents make better decisions and support their child's emotional wellbeing. Staying calm and child-focused makes mediating co-parenting easier, more stable and less stressful for both parents.
Follow Up and Adjust as Needed
As your children grow, their needs will change, so both parents should actively review and update the parenting plan to ensure it continues to meet their evolving needs and supports stable, healthy co-parenting over time.
Why Choose Our Parenting Plan Mediation?
Choosing the right mediator for a parenting plan makes the process feel less overwhelming. Here’s how we keep things practical, respectful, and centred around your child’s wellbeing.
Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners
Our mediators are accredited by the Attorney-General's Department as Family Dispute Resolution Practitioners. You get the benefit of professionals who understand both the legal framework and the emotional realities of separation.
Tailored, Individual Support For Every Unique Client
Every family situation is different. Our professionals take the time to understand your situation, children’s needs and family dynamics, then guide you toward practical arrangements that truly fit your circumstances and long-term goals.
Child-Focused & Trauma-Informed Approach
Our child-focused, trauma-informed approach prioritises emotional safety during separation. We handle every conversation with care and compassion, ensuring your child’s well-being remains at the centre of all decisions made.
Flexible Appointment times
We offer very flexible appointment times making it easier to access support when it best fits around your schedule. If you need an appointment outside our usual hours we can do it.
Client Experiences That Speak for Themselves
Every family that comes to us is trying to tackle their challenging situation positively. We help them move forward with clear communication, agreement and an outcome that they feel confident about.
What To Expect From a Parenting Plan Mediation With Us
Our family mediation process resolves separation/divorce, financial, or property matters by developing authentic, realistic agreements that you’ve reality tested.
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Get Started
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Individual Intake Sessions
Joint Mediation Session
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Parenting Plan Drafting
Ongoing Support
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Frequently asked questions
Is parenting plan mediation the same as FDR?
Yes. Parenting plan mediation is part of Family Dispute Resolution (FDR), the formal process used in Australia to help separated parents resolve parenting matters before going to court.
When to use Parenting Plan Mediation?
Parenting plan mediation is helpful when separated parents need to make decisions about care arrangements, routines, communication, or shared responsibilities. It’s the first step for parents who want to avoid court and create practical parenting arrangements together.
How long does parenting plan mediation take?
The timeline depends on the issues discussed and how readily both parents reach an agreement. Most plans can be developed in a single 4 hour mediation session.
How much does parenting plan mediation cost in Australia?
Most private mediation services charge anywhere between $2000 and $6000. At Resolutions Australia we’ve developed an online mediation business model that allows us to charge just $1600 per mediation ($800 per client.) We want to make mediation as accessible to all as possible and this is reflected in our pricing.
If parties choose to litigate via the Family Court it will likely cost in excess of $10000 per person unless they meet the narrow criteria for legal aid support.
Can a parenting plan be changed later?
Yes. You can update your parenting plan whenever circumstances change, provided both parents agree. Reviewing your mediation parenting plan from time to time ensures it continues to suit your child’s needs and routines.
How to prepare for parenting mediation?
Before your session, think about your child’s routines, lifestyle, schooling, and leisure interests. Consider and prioritise their current and possible future needs. Think of pathways for these needs to be addressed and how realistic these are. Think of best and worst case scenarios, areas for negotiation, and the ideal outcome for the wider family.
How do I choose the right mediator for a parenting plan?
When searching for a parenting plan mediator ensure they have accreditation as an FDR Practitioner, experience in family matters, and a child-centred approach. Choose someone who offers clear guidance, flexible appointments, and a practical approach to reaching agreement. At Resolutions Australia these are all factors we consider crucial to making the most of the mediation experience.
Do you provide parenting plan mediation services across Australia?
Yes. We offer nationwide parenting plan mediation services across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and regional areas.
What are the benefits of parenting plan mediation?
- It is significantly more cost-effective when compared to court proceedings.
- It helps families reach a faster resolution of parenting issues. Weeks, not months or years.
- Parents are empowered to make decisions about their children.
- It supports healthier co-parenting relationships by improving communication.
- It allows flexible and adaptable parenting arrangements that suit changing needs.
- It reduces stress and emotional impact on both children and parents when compared to litigation.
Need assistance?
Please email, call, or use our contact form to take the first step.
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