How to apply

Family Mediation Accreditation logoOur Family Mediation Accreditation is a recognised quality standard for practitioners who carry out mediation.

To apply for the Family Mediation Accreditation, you must be a:

  • solicitor
  • legal executive
  • trainee solicitor
  • caseworker

The accreditation subscribes to the Family Mediation Council’s (FMC) Professional Standards and Self-Regulatory Framework.

You must:

  • be a member of another FMC member organisation
  • be in good standing with your FMC member organisation
  • be under the supervision of a professional practice consultant (PPC)
  • have had at least 10 hours of one-to-one, principally face-to-face support from your PPC
  • have a post-training review with your PPC
  • observe or co-mediate a mediation session conducted by a Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediator
  • have at least one mediation session observed by your PPC
  • take a minimum of three cases (including an AIM case) or four cases (without an AIM case) to completion in the last two years
  • have undertaken at least 10 hours of family mediation-related continuing professional development
  • have undertaken four hours of time with a PPC in each year and complete a further 10 hours’ time with your PPC before submitting your portfolio

The application process takes around six to eight weeks. It can take longer if we receive high volumes of applications or if you do not give us all the information we need.

Application routes

There are two routes to apply for initial accreditation:

  • passporting route – if you’ve already been competence assessed or accredited
  • portfolio route – if you have not yet achieved any form of accreditation

To apply for the passporting route, you’ll need to be a family mediator who has been competence assessed or accredited under one of the following schemes:

  • Legal Services Commission (LSC) scheme
  • LSC scheme as previously run by the former UK College of Family Mediators
  • LSC scheme as previously run by the Family Mediation Council
  • Family Mediation Council’s Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) scheme
  • FMA or Resolution accreditation routes and awarded FMCA status as of 1 January 2015
  • Family Mediation Council Accreditation from 1 January 2015

Step 1: Read the guidance

Before you begin your application, you must read our:

Step 2: Complete the application form

Complete the application form (Word 270 KB).

Step 3: Submit your application

Your completed application is made up of:

  • your application form
  • a copy of evidence of completion of a competence assessment
  • a copy of your CPD training record
  • your professional development statement

Do not send files larger than 18 MB. If necessary, send your supporting documents in separate emails.

Submit your application by email

Step 4: Pay the application fee

We’ll send you an invoice when we receive your application.

The total fee is £300 (VAT included).

Read more about the cost of the accreditation

Step 5: Accreditation

Our accreditation team will review and assess your application.

We’ll let you know the outcome of your application once we’ve received your payment.

Once accredited, you must make sure that you’re registered with the FMC in order to hold yourself out as a Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediator.

Step 1: Read the guidance

Before you begin your application, you must read our:

Step 2: Complete the training

You must undertake and successfully complete a mandatory initial training course provided by an approved training organisation.

Since 1 October 2015, any new training providers are approved directly by the FMC.

See the FMC list of approved training course providers

Existing training courses provided by the following will remain approved for working towards accreditation:

Step 3: Complete the application form

Complete the application form (Word 288 KB).

Step 4: Complete the portfolio template

Complete the portfolio template (Word 326 KB).

Step 5: Complete the professional development statement

Complete the professional development statement (Word 280 KB).

Step 6: Submit your application

Your completed application is made up of:

  • your application form
  • your portfolio
  • a copy of your PPC log for the last three years
  • a copy of your CPD training record
  • your professional development statement
  • a copy of your foundation training record
  • a copy of evidence of conversion training
  • FMC grant of extension
  • a copy of your certificate or evidence of attendance at Child Inclusive Mediation Awareness and Understanding Day

Do not send files larger than 18 MB. If necessary, send your supporting documents in separate emails.

Submit your application by email

Step 7: Pay the application fee

We’ll send you an invoice when we receive your application.

The total fee is £300 (VAT included).

Read more about the cost of the accreditation

Step 8: Accreditation

Our accreditation team will review and assess your application.

We’ll let you know the outcome of your application once we’ve received your payment.

Once accredited, you must make sure that you’re registered with the FMC in order to hold yourself out as a Family Mediation Council Accredited (FMCA) mediator.

Frequently asked questions

Read the Family Mediation Accreditation FAQs (PDF 344 KB)

Appeals

You may appeal against our decision.

Read our appeals policy

Contact us

Call: 020 7320 5797

Email: accreditation@lawsociety.org.uk

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

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