Our Mediation Process
Mediation is the preferred process and initial step to assist parties to resolve conflict. The Family Court expects parents and careres to utilise this pathway as a first option to seeking mutaul agreements for their family and parenting issues and property and financial matters. Mediation provides a confidential and supportive environment for participants to discuss experiences, concerns or goals. Allowing them to determine options and strategise future solutions, as an alternative to lengthy and costly legal processes. The alternative, being parties turning to a legal pathway which often requires legal advice and/or representation, waiting periods for scheduled hearings and decisions determined by magistrates. Often costs to participants being in excess of $50,000.00
Family Dispute Resolution
Parents participating in mediation are able to share and discuss individual concerns, offering the opportunity where mutual agreements are identified to successfully create parenting agreements. This process is proven to reduce impacts of separation between them and most importantly, their children. The Family Dispute Resolution process was established to create a space that was more accessible for parents, allowing them to reachdeterminations that are child focused and reflect the children’s best interest, wherever safe and possible to do so. Family Mediation can be initiated by Grandparents, extended family or carers seeking to continue relationships or connections with children through mediation with the biological where it is suitable to do so.
Encompass Mediation Services assists family and community members in providing timely and affordable family and property financial mediation services, workplace and community grievances.
We are experienced to assist ATSI clients, CALD clients, LGBTQI+ Relationships, Grandparent Mediation, Elderly Abuse and Workplace or Community grievances and disputes. Our goals are to provide a personal, professional and expedient service to assist you navigate through all life changes and challenges.
Encompass Mediation is committed to assisting our clients and their families to navigate change and find a way forward.
OUR PROCESS & FEES
Initial Intake & Assessment
$375.00pp( excl GST)
An initial intake and assessment with each client is required to to determine current suitability, barriers or concerns in attending mediation.
It allows the mediator to identify safety, risks and other priorities or concerns before initiatiing invites for mediation delivery with the participant. These appointments are confidential and the outcome of these assessments are to determine if a matter is suitable to proceed into joint mediation with the other party and practitioner.
In all mediation settings safety is a priority, some clients may be exempt from or choose not to participate attending in family mediation matters and 60i Certificates may be the outcome for some parties. The certificates will be explained to particpants individually(1.5 hours)
A second pre-mediation appointment (especially for property) are required, it allows the mediator to review any recent developments and current data that needs to be addressed or may impact ongoing suitability to continue.(1hour)
For most participants attending mediation is voluntary, unless parties have been court ordered to attend.
In family mediation matters certificates may be applicable listing the outcomes from the parties attending mediaton. These can only be provided by a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP).
Contact us to discuss and review how mediation services can support you to manage conflict and navigate change
Family & Property & Alternate Dispute Mediation
$750.00pp (excl GST)
The joint session of mediation is held with both parties and the mediator.
In this session , the parties involved formulate the agenda of topics, concerns or issues they hope to resolve between them.
The mediator facilitates the conversation, supporting the parties to share information, experinces and perspectives as they explore mutually suitable options and determine agreements between them.
The mediator is able to record these as Parenting plans or Financial agreements. In a family mediation the mediator assists the parties to remain child focused when developing parenting plans.
Parenting plans are not a legally binding document until further action is taken to convert the plan into consent orders with the Family courts. Colleen can assist your understanding of the process and the steps required to achieve this.
Financial Agreements need to be submitted to the Family Court to be listed as either Property and Financial consent orders or a Binding Financial Agreement, to record and finalise your financial separation from the other party/parties. These are usually completed with legal advisors on your behalf. Colleen can assist your understanding of the process and the steps required to achieve this.
Workplace agreements, community relationship and partnerships agreements reached will be recorded in writing and may require legal advisors to create binding financial agreements.
Community and Workplace Alternate Dispute Resolution
Community, Employment Grievances and Alternate Dispute Resolution requires an Intake with each individual ( 1.5hrs) followed by a joint session with the mediator. (3 hours)
Why choose mediation?
Encompass Mediation can provide mediation services in a timely manner to ensure no lengthy wait periods are experienced. Appointments are available as face to face, zoom meetings and or telephone contact with the mediator.
For some clients room hire may be applicable with an added fee.
We assist and support all parties involved to understand the Mediation process and their roles and respnsibilities in attending mediation.
60i Certificates
In family mediaiton 60i certificates are available to list outcomes of clients attempts to mediate. The mediator will be able to provide you with information sheets and explain this process in further detail. Mediation is a voluntary process and participants may choose to not engage or to opt out at certain stages of the mediation process. Colleen will be able to provide you with further information to assist you to understand these certificates when considering to commence family mediation.
Our Fees include telephone calls and follow up with participants, administration involved with appointments, emails and preparation of 60i Certificates applicable to Family Dispute Resolution mediations.
All fees must be paid in full prior to the appropriate service commencing, please see terms and conditions listed below.
You can discover our Rockingham Mediation Services on this page >>>
Terms & Conditions
Definition of Parties
Party A is the initiating party and Party B is the other party or parties, invited by party A to participate in mediation
Payment Terms
- The professional services listed above and in the fixed costs schedule are offered with no surcharge applying to evening or weekend appointments
- Payment of an invoice by a client constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions and forms a binding contract in relation to those services invoiced and as specified in the fixed costs schedule
- No services will be provided until such time as payment is received. Payment option is bank transfer via internet.
- All services and fees are non-refundable, 50% of the fees will be refundable for Mediation Appointments if 48 hours notice is provided.
- For cancellations in joint sessions the client cancelling the appointment is the client to whom the fee will apply.
Complaints and Service Issues
Please address any issues or complaints directly to the principal practitioner Colleen Gleeson. Colleen will reply to your concerns within 48 hours in all matters relating to any services provided by Encompass Mediation.
If the matter is not resolved to the satisfaction of both parties, Colleen will refer the issue to the Mediation Institute, a professional institute option able to offer complaints managemnet review on behalf available for registered mediators.
Mediation Institute acts on behalf of Encompass Mediation as a third party complaints review board, who will manage the ongoing enquiry on behalf of the parties involved for further review and decision.