The heatwave isn't the only thing raising temperatures this summer: Separated parents urged to choose mediation before court

Separated parents facing the pressure of the summer holidays are being urged to choose family mediation before turning to court, with many eligible families able to claim up to £500 towards the cost through the Government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme.

The call from NFM (National Family Mediation), the UK's largest family mediation provider, comes after new Ministry of Justice figures revealed more parents are ending up in the family courts to resolve disputes about their children. Between January and March 2026, a staggering 15,534 new private law children cases were started - a 16% increase on the same period last year.

Although court waiting times have improved, families whose disputes reach court still wait an average of 35 weeks for a decision. By comparison, mediation can often begin within weeks, helping parents reach practical, child-focused agreements far sooner and, in many cases, avoid court altogether.

Summer is consistently one of NFM's busiest times of year. With six weeks of childcare to arrange, holidays to coordinate and routines turned upside down, the charity sees a sharp increase in parents seeking help to resolve disagreements before they escalate.

But Sarah Hawkins, CEO of NFM, says the latest court figures show too many families are still reaching crisis point before exploring mediation.

She says many parents also don't realise their children can have a voice in decisions about their future through Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM). The process gives children and young people the opportunity to share their views with a specially trained mediator, helping parents make decisions that reflect their experiences and best interests.

"Summer should be about making memories with your children, not arguing over childcare, holidays or who's having the children when.

"Many parents don't realise they could be entitled to £500 towards the cost of mediation. It's a fantastic opportunity to sit down with an experienced mediator and sort things out before disagreements become stressful, expensive court battles.

"The latest Ministry of Justice figures show more families are still turning to the courts to resolve disputes about their children. Court will always be the right option in some cases, but where it's safe and appropriate, mediation can often start within weeks instead of families waiting an average of 35 weeks for a court case to conclude.

“That's better for parents, better for children and helps ease pressure on the family courts."

Sarah added: "Children don't just need parents to communicate - they need to feel heard too. Through Child Inclusive Mediation, where appropriate, children and young people can share their views, helping parents make decisions that genuinely reflect what's best for them."

NFM is encouraging parents to explore mediation as early as possible before disagreements become entrenched. Families discussing arrangements for children may be eligible for the Government's Family Mediation Voucher Scheme, which contributes up to £500 towards the cost of mediation, while Legal Aid also remains available for those who qualify.