Family Mediation Graduate Portfolio Programme
A structured 12-month development pathway for newly trained mediators, designed to support them as they work towards their Family Mediation Council portfolio.
- 12 months
- Online
- Access to cases
Your structured path to portfolio completion and accreditation
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.
What the programme provides
Hands-on case experience
You will be able to:
- Observe accredited mediators across a range of child and finance cases
- Co-mediate real MIAMs and mediation sessions
- When ready, take the lead in cases, supervised by experienced practitioners
This practical route helps you gather the breadth and depth of experience essential for your FMC portfolio.
Professional support & supervision
You will receive:
- Dedicated PPC supervision for your portfolio
- Additional PPC sessions to meet FMC annual requirements
- Access to our PPCs and mediators for ongoing guidance
This ensures a strong, reflective, and professional foundation as you begin your practice.
Community & continuing development
As part of Veritas Mediation Academy, you will:
- Join our mediators’ WhatsApp group
- Attend all staff training (online)
- Be invited to quarterly team meetings
- Remain connected to a supportive professional community
This reflects a long-standing tradition of mediators helping one another grow, while preparing you for the future of practice.
What is not included
This programme supports your route to portfolio completion, but it does not include:
- FMC portfolio submission fees
- Insurance (required if mediating independently of DMS)
- Membership of a professional body such as the College of Mediators, FMA, NFM, Resolution
- Registration with the Family Mediation Council
These remain your personal responsibilities.
What the programme provides
| 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 |
Cost Information
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.
Reviews from our mediation students
Meet the tutors of Veritas Mediation Academy
Stuart M. Hanson
Head of Quality & Learning
FMCA accredited mediator and PPC
Qualified teacher with QTLS status
National Mediation Award winner
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.
Lesley Dudleston
Quality & Learning Manager & Lead Trainer
FMCA, PPC, DET
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.
Jan Coulton
Trainer
LLB (Hons), FMCA, PPC
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.
Dawn Stainer
Head of Assessment & Online Safety Coordinator
BA (Hons), FMCA, PGCE
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.
FAQs about the Family Mediation Graduate Portfolio Programme
What is the VMA Graduate Mediator Portfolio Programme?
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.
Who is this programme for?
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).
How does the programme help me complete my FMC portfolio?
The programme supports your portfolio development through:
- Access to real mediation cases (MIAMs and joint sessions)
- Opportunities to observe, co-mediate, and lead cases
- Dedicated PPC supervision focused on your portfolio
- Structured guidance on meeting FMC portfolio requirements
This ensures you gain the experience and evidence required for submission.
Will I get real mediation cases?
Yes. A key feature of the programme is access to real cases, allowing you to:
- Observe experienced accredited mediators
- Co-mediate MIAMs and mediation sessions
- Progress to leading cases when ready
This practical experience is essential for building a credible portfolio.
How much PPC supervision is included?
The programme includes:
- 10 hours of PPC supervision specifically for your portfolio
- Additional PPC sessions to meet annual FMC requirements
This ensures you receive ongoing professional support throughout your development.
How long does it take to complete the portfolio?
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.
Do I become accredited at the end of the programme?
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.
What experience will I gain during the programme?
You will gain:
- Experience observing and conducting MIAMs
- Exposure to both child and financial mediation cases
- Co-mediation experience with accredited mediators
- The opportunity to lead cases under supervision
This breadth of experience is aligned with FMC expectations for accreditation.
Is the programme online?
Yes. The programme is delivered primarily online, allowing you to access supervision, training, and case opportunities flexibly, regardless of your location.
What is included in the programme fee?
The programme fee includes:
- Access to real cases
- PPC supervision
- Observation and co-mediation opportunities
- Portfolio guidance and review
- Ongoing professional development and community support
Full details are provided at the point of enrolment.
What is not included in the programme?
The programme does not include:
- FMC portfolio submission fees
- Professional indemnity insurance
- Membership of a professional body (e.g. FMA, Resolution, College of Mediators)
- FMC registration
These are separate professional requirements.
Can I work as a mediator during the programme?
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.
How many cases will I need for my portfolio?
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.
What support will I receive during the programme?
You will receive:
- Ongoing PPC supervision
- Access to experienced mediators
- Participation in training and team meetings
- Support from a professional mediation community
This ensures you are not working in isolation as you develop your practice.
Why choose Veritas Mediation Academy?
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.