Client Update- Mediation voucher change

This is for information only and this will not affect your access to our mediation services.

As of 30 June 2023, there were 3,940 families receiving ongoing support under the Voucher Scheme and a further 15,304 families have been supported with voucher-funded mediation since the start of the scheme in April 2021.

The Ministry of Justice recently however held an open tender process for the contract to operate the Family Mediation Voucher Scheme until March 2025. Despite an excellent track record of running the scheme since 2021 the FMC was not successful in its bid and the contract will pass to a different organisation, Opia Ltd, from 1 August 2023.

There are no changes to the rules which apply to the scheme, or the data that is to be collected and so clients that are eligible for vouchers at present will continue to be eligible after 1 August.

From 1st August 2023, all new voucher requests and queries relating to the voucher scheme will be made to Opia.  Opia will use a different format for client consent forms so please be aware that if you are applying to Opia for vouchers on or after 1 August, you will need to provide client consent on the Opia client consent form.

If you are currently involved in a mediation, your mediator will guide you through any changes should they be applicable to you.