You do not need to be a solicitor or have a law degree to train as a family mediator.
You do, however, need to show that you can study at the required level, communicate clearly and manage conflict and professional relationships. You must then pass a foundation course approved by the Family Mediation Council.
The qualification you already hold is only one part of that assessment.
Do you need a degree to train as a family mediator?
A degree is one way to meet the entry standard, but it is not the only way.
The Family Mediation Council’s requirements for foundation training state that applicants should be able to work at graduate level. You can demonstrate this through:
- A degree.
- An equivalent professional qualification.
- Experience in a role requiring an equivalent level of thinking and application.
Your degree or professional qualification does not have to be in law.
This means someone without a university degree may still be suitable if their professional experience shows that they can understand complex information, exercise judgement and complete work at the required level.
It also means that having a degree does not automatically make someone suitable. Family mediation training is practical and demanding. Applicants also need relevant experience of managing conflict and interpersonal relationships.
What professional experience do you need?
The Family Mediation Council expects applicants to have experience of working with conflict and managing interpersonal relationships at a professional level.
Its guidance says this will typically come from two or three years of experience as:
- A professional working with families.
- A mediator in another area.
- A practitioner using another form of non-adversarial dispute resolution.
These are not fixed job titles. What matters is the level and nature of your experience.
For example, your work may have required you to manage difficult conversations, deal with competing accounts, maintain professional boundaries or make careful decisions involving other people. You should be able to explain what responsibility you held and how that experience has prepared you for professional training.
You do not need previous mediation experience. A family mediator works in a distinct professional role, so even applicants with experience in law or another form of dispute resolution still need approved family mediation training.
Personal experience of separation or supporting friends and relatives through conflict is not a substitute for professional experience. It may have influenced your interest in mediation, but course admission is based on whether you are prepared for the academic and practical demands of the training.
You must also be able to understand and use written and spoken English, or Welsh if the course is delivered in Welsh, to the required standard. The course involves assessed discussions, role play and written work, so clear communication is part of the entry requirement rather than something considered only after training.
What training qualification do you need?
The recognised starting point in England and Wales is an FMC-approved foundation training course.
A general mediation course does not replace this training. Neither does a law degree, counselling qualification or civil and commercial mediation certificate. Family foundation training covers the professional knowledge and practice needed for work involving separating families, children and finances.
Approved foundation courses must operate at a minimum of Level 5. This describes the standard of learning. It does not mean that every course awards a university degree or an academic Level 5 diploma. University validation is optional and is not required for Family Mediation Council approval.
The important question is whether the course and provider appear on the Family Mediation Council’s current approved list. Terms such as accredited, certified or professional are not enough on their own.
Passing an approved foundation course gives you a foundation training certificate. It does not make you an FMC Accredited Family Mediator.
After passing, you can begin the supported practice required to work towards FMCA. That involves registration, work with a Professional Practice Consultant and assessment through a portfolio. The full process is explained in our guide to becoming an accredited family mediator.
How will Veritas prepare you if you are new to family mediation?
Your previous career may have given you useful experience, but it will not have taught you the full family mediation role.
The Veritas Family Mediation Foundation Course is approved by the Family Mediation Council. It teaches the legal and professional framework alongside the practical work of conducting family mediation safely.
Every approved foundation course must meet the required curriculum and assessment standards. The teaching approach and support surrounding the course can still differ between providers.
At Veritas, learners practise with realistic cases and role plays, with practical groups limited to six learners per tutor. The course is taught by practising accredited family mediators with teaching and Professional Practice Consultant experience.
Learners also receive access to the Virtual Learning Environment, tutorials, additional safeguarding training and an opportunity to observe a live Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting. An initial PPC session is included to help learners understand what follows foundation training.
If you are unsure whether your qualifications or experience meet the entry standard, ask Veritas to consider your professional background before you book. A degree is not essential, but the course needs to be the right professional step for you.