Stepping out of your Foundation Course is an important milestone. Yet becoming a confident, capable mediator who is ready for portfolio submission takes more than classroom learning; it requires real practice, consistent support, and guidance from experienced professionals. The VMA Graduate Mediator Portfolio Programme offers exactly that.
Created for graduates of FMC-accredited foundation training, the programme provides the steady, real-world exposure mediators need to build their portfolio, strengthen their practice skills, and enter the profession with clarity and confidence.
You will be able to:
This practical route helps you gather the breadth and depth of experience essential for your FMC portfolio.
You will receive:
This ensures a strong, reflective, and professional foundation as you begin your practice.
As part of Veritas Mediation Academy, you will:
This reflects a long-standing tradition of mediators helping one another grow, while preparing you for the future of practice.
This programme supports your route to portfolio completion, but it does not include:
These remain your personal responsibilities.
Complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.
| Feature | What’s included |
|---|---|
| Programme length | 12 months |
| MIAM co-mediations | 20 opportunities |
| Observed Mediation Sessions | 5 sessions |
| Co-Mediated Case Starts | 10 opportunities |
| PPC Portfolio Supervision | 10 hours |
| Annual PPC Requirement | 4 hours |
| Formal Observation | 1 formal observation with written feedback |
| Portfolio Review | 1 full review |
| Staff Training Access | Unlimited attendance at internal staff training sessions |
| Community Support | Mediator WhatsApp group + quarterly staff meetings |
| Programme Purpose | Structured experience to support FMC portfolio development and readiness for FMCA |
| Not Included | FMC portfolio submission, insurance, professional membership, FMC registration |
The Graduate Mediator Programme is offered at a fixed fee of £6,295 and may be paid in full or by standing order. If choosing a standing order, a £50 administrative charge will apply. Full details of the programme cost and payment arrangements are provided at the point of enrolment.
I completed the free introductory course on family mediation and it was really good. By the end of the online course, I had a much better understanding of the role... read more
Parvin AktarI attended the mediation course and really enjoyed it. The practical exercises stood out the most to me — they kept me involved and helped everything feel real. I left... read more
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Sheelagh HegartyI took the foundation training course for family mediation, and I found it very helpful. The training covered plenty of exercises and roleplays, giving us lots of opportunities to get... read more
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Shakil Ansary
Head of Quality & Learning
Stuart is an accredited family mediator (Family Mediation Council) and a civil, commercial, and workplace mediator (Civil Mediation Council). He is also a Professional Practice Consultant (PPC), Legal Aid internal supervisor, and qualified teacher with QTLS status, underpinned by a Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training.
At Veritas Mediation Academy, Stuart leads on quality assurance, curriculum development, and training delivery. He mentors aspiring mediators and oversees the academic standards of the Foundation Training and CPD programmes.
A Fellow of the Society of Mediators and member of both Resolution and the Society for Education and Training, Stuart currently serves on Resolution’s national Legal Aid and Family Mediation Committee. He was previously a family magistrate in Leeds and has held leadership positions with the College of Mediators.
Stuart has twice received a National Mediation Award (2018 and 2024), and in 2024 and 2025 was shortlisted respectively for Resolution’s Innovation Champion and Legal Aid Practitioner of the Year awards. He is also the External Reviewer for the LLM in Digital Dispute Resolution at Leeds Beckett University.
Quality & Learning Manager & Lead Trainer
Lesley is an FMCA-accredited all-issues mediator, Professional Practice Consultant (PPC) and qualified trainer. She delivers foundation training and ongoing CPD, with a focus on reflective practice, client-centred approaches, and mediator confidence. Lesley plays a key role in developing the Academy’s training and assessment materials and brings over 25 years’ experience in research and strategy to the Academy.
Trainer
Jan is one of the UK’s most respected family mediators, with over 30 years’ experience and a background as a qualified solicitor. She is an FMCA-accredited mediator, Professional Practice Consultant (PPC), and a two-time winner of the National Mediation Award for Family Mediation. Jan is a director of the Family Mediation Council. She leads accredited training for aspiring mediators and delivers specialist courses in intergenerational, inheritance, and elder mediation. Jan continues to support practitioners across England through her PPC services and ongoing mentoring.
Head of Assessment & Online Safety Coordinator
Dawn is a multi-skilled mediator and senior educator with a legal background and extensive assessment expertise. She holds roles with several awarding bodies as an assessor and internal verifier, and serves as a moderator for Civil Mediation Council qualifications. She delivers mediation and education training in the UK and internationally and is an accredited family mediator registered with the Family Mediation Council.
The VMA Graduate Mediator Portfolio Programme is a structured 12-month development pathway designed for newly trained family mediators who are working towards completion of their Family Mediation Council (FMC) portfolio and accreditation. It provides access to real cases, professional supervision, and practical experience to support your transition into practice.
This programme is designed for individuals who have completed an FMC-accredited foundation course in family mediation and are now looking to build their portfolio, gain practical experience, and progress towards accredited mediator status (FMCA).
The programme supports your portfolio development through:
This ensures you gain the experience and evidence required for submission.
Yes. A key feature of the programme is access to real cases, allowing you to:
This practical experience is essential for building a credible portfolio.
The programme includes:
This ensures you receive ongoing professional support throughout your development.
The programme runs over 12 months, providing a realistic and structured timeframe for most mediators to build and complete their portfolio. However, completion ultimately depends on your individual progress and engagement with cases.
The programme is designed to support you towards accreditation, but accreditation itself is awarded by the Family Mediation Council (FMC) following successful portfolio submission and approval. VMA provides the structure, experience, and support to help you reach that stage with confidence.
You will gain:
This breadth of experience is aligned with FMC expectations for accreditation.
Yes. The programme is delivered primarily online, allowing you to access supervision, training, and case opportunities flexibly, regardless of your location.
The programme fee includes:
Full details are provided at the point of enrolment.
The programme does not include:
These are separate professional requirements.
Yes, depending on your stage of development and readiness. Many participants begin by observing and co-mediating before progressing to leading cases under supervision. The programme is designed to support a safe and gradual transition into practice.
FMC portfolio requirements vary, but generally require a range of MIAMs and mediation cases demonstrating competence across different areas. The programme is structured to help you gain the necessary breadth and depth of experience.
You will receive:
This ensures you are not working in isolation as you develop your practice.
Veritas Mediation Academy combines structured training with real-world practice. Unlike purely theoretical pathways, this programme provides direct access to cases, experienced practitioners, and a supportive professional environment, helping you move from training to confident, accredited practice.
