Are you considering becoming a family mediator, but not sure if this path is right for you? Our free taster course gives you the chance to find out. A short online taster course for people thinking about taking the foundation course in family mediation.
In this short introduction, you’ll explore what family mediation involves, the role of the mediator, and the core skills that make the process effective. It’s an opportunity for you to experience our teaching approach and learning resources, helping you decide if formal training with Veritas is the right next step.
This free course offers a concise introduction to family mediation and an overview of the FMCA pathway.
It is designed for learners who want to understand how mediation works, what mediators do, and whether the accredited career route is right for them.
Complete the form below and we will contact you as soon as possible.
This free course is self-paced. Most learners complete it within 2–4 hours, and you have up to 30 days of access.
The course uses short videos, readings, and reflective tasks to help you understand the fundamentals of family mediation. It provides a gentle, structured entry point into the field, preparing you for the more comprehensive training ahead.
This introductory programme covers:
All learning takes place online through our Virtual Learning Environment. You can log in at any time and progress through the materials at your own pace. There are no live sessions for this course, making it fully flexible for professionals and students.
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 course is hosted on 360Learning, a modern, intuitive platform. You’ll find short videos, readings, templates, and reflective activities arranged in a clear, module-based structure. You can track your progress, revisit materials at any time, and learn entirely at your own pace.
The platform provides a streamlined and accessible experience that mirrors the structure of our full Foundation Course.
I 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
XH OngI attended the meditation course and found it to be a really meaningful experience. What I appreciated the most were the practical sessions, as they helped me stay focused and... read more
Shakil AnsaryI 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
Hannah GrimshawI joined the free introduction to family mediation course and really enjoyed it. It was interesting, easy to follow, and gave a great overview of what mediation is and how... read more
katy HansonI recently completed the free online family mediation course and found it helpful. The course gave a me clear and realistic insight into what family mediation involves and what the... read more
Sheelagh HegartyThis free course provides a clear overview of how family mediation works, the role of the mediator, and the professional training route toward FMCA accreditation. It’s designed for anyone exploring a career in family mediation and wanting to understand the field before committing to formal, accredited training.
No previous experience is required. This introductory programme is suitable for complete beginners as well as professionals from related fields such as law, social work, education, and counselling who want to learn more about family mediation.
The course is self-paced and typically takes learners 2–4 hours to complete. You will have 30 days of access to work through the materials whenever it suits your schedule.
The free course does not count toward FMCA accreditation, but it is an excellent starting point. It explains the full FMC training pathway and prepares you for the accredited Foundation Course—the mandatory first step toward becoming an FMC Accredited Mediator.
Get details about the FMC-accredited Foundation Course, including syllabus, start dates, and enrolment options.
