Child Focused Mediation

Child Focused Mediation is a method of working with parents in dispute resolution forums and education programs, focusing the process on the needs of their children.

In 2006, through the Children in Focus project, Prof. Lawrie Moloney and Prof. Jennifer McIntosh released a DVD and Handbook, documenting their work on Child Focused Mediation, called “Creating Child Focused Dialogues with Separated Parents”.

Lawrie and Jenn are now revising and updating the content of this resource, and hope to make it available in the near future, with full DVD footage. In the meantime, we make available a lecture by Prof. Lawrie Moloney on Child Focused Interventions, from the Children in Focus Program. You can also access an extract from Prof. Jennifer McIntosh’s Parent Education Group in the “For Parents” section of the Children Beyond Dispute.

    Child Inclusive Mediation and Counselling

    Other Educational Resources

    Young Children Inclusive Divorce Separation for Professionals

    YCIDS is an education program for separated parents who have a baby or very young child, and intend to co-parent.

    Professor Jennifer McIntosh

    Jennifer (better known as Jenn) is a clinical child psychologist, family therapist and developmental researcher. Her research and clinical work is vast. Here on CBD, we house Jenn's interventions for separated families in high conflict. In 2019, she was awarded  Member of the Order of Australia in recognition for this work.

    For Parents

    Being separated parents of a baby or toddler is a big job. Young Children in Divorce and Separation (YCIDS) is here to help. YCIDS is a short online education program for separated parents of very young children (0-4 years). YCIDS provides invaluable information about early development and the needs of very young children in separation, and helps parents to get on the same page about co-parenting between two homes. YCIDS won’t tell you what to do. It will show you the right questions to ask, to arrive at your own good decisions about co-parenting your child, in your circumstances, now and into the future.

    For Kids

    Tom’s Game is a true story, told by a seven year old boy. Tom takes us through the breakdown of his parent’s marriage. With humour and charm, Tom tells us all about court, through the eyes of a child. Just when his parents seem to be ready to self-destruct, along comes a little lady with big glasses, and some child inclusive solutions for the whole family.