If there is no acrimony between couples, mediation can be concluded in as little as two sessions. Most people can conclude mediation in three or four sessions. Couples who find it difficult to communicate or who have complex financial arrangements may need five, six or more sessions. Couples usually set their own pace for the mediation, and therefore, the number of sessions can vary.
THE MEDIATIONS
MIAM: £100. This can take up to an hour.
Mediation Session: £150. This can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Shuttle Mediation: £200. This can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
For complex financial mediation sessions, where we need to work with another mediator, we charge £300.
All fees are per session per person and payable in advance on receipt of our invoice.
CHILD INCLUSIVE MEDIATION
Child Inclusive Mediation: £200 (for up to two children)
All fees are per person and payable in advance on receipt of our invoice except where a couple is already in Mediation with us when the fee is £200 in total.
THE PAPERWORK
Parenting Plan: £75 per person
Scanning or Printing: £50 per hour
Open Financial Statement: £150 per person
Memorandum of Understanding: £150 per person
C100 form/Form A: £55 per couple
All paperwork fees are payable in advance on receipt of our invoice.
THE SMALL PRINT
If you have a significant dispute regarding child matters, you will be eligible for the Government's Mediation Voucher Scheme. This will cover the cost of up to £500 worth of our mediation services.
We do not charge VAT.
We are sorry, but we are unable to take Legal Aid cases.
MIAM: £100. This can take up to an hour.
Mediation Session: £150. This can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
Shuttle Mediation: £200. This can take between 1.5 and 2 hours.
For complex financial mediation sessions, where we need to work with another mediator, we charge £300.
All fees are per session per person and payable in advance on receipt of our invoice.
CHILD INCLUSIVE MEDIATION
Child Inclusive Mediation: £200 (for up to two children)
All fees are per person and payable in advance on receipt of our invoice except where a couple is already in Mediation with us when the fee is £200 in total.
THE PAPERWORK
Parenting Plan: £75 per person
Scanning or Printing: £50 per hour
Open Financial Statement: £150 per person
Memorandum of Understanding: £150 per person
C100 form/Form A: £55 per couple
All paperwork fees are payable in advance on receipt of our invoice.
THE SMALL PRINT
If you have a significant dispute regarding child matters, you will be eligible for the Government's Mediation Voucher Scheme. This will cover the cost of up to £500 worth of our mediation services.
We do not charge VAT.
We are sorry, but we are unable to take Legal Aid cases.
Complaints Policy:
Please put your complaint in writing to Daniel Bester and submit by email. You will normally receive an answer within 10 working days.
If the internal process is exhausted, you may complain to the FMC (Family Mediation Council). A copy of the FMC complaints policy is found on the FMC website.
Please put your complaint in writing to Daniel Bester and submit by email. You will normally receive an answer within 10 working days.
If the internal process is exhausted, you may complain to the FMC (Family Mediation Council). A copy of the FMC complaints policy is found on the FMC website.
Mediation can be carried out online via Google Meets or WhatsApp Video.
We can also mediate at our home office at 9 The Gateway Woking Surrey GU21 5SN.
The office of Surrey Family Mediation on the borders of Woking and West Byfleet.
We can also mediate at our home office at 9 The Gateway Woking Surrey GU21 5SN.
The office of Surrey Family Mediation on the borders of Woking and West Byfleet.
In 1994, Daniel Bester was awarded a B.A. (Social Work) degree from South Africa’s Nelson Mandela University. He then worked as a Social Worker.
In 2005, Daniel completed a Divorce and Family Mediation course, after which he worked at the Office of the Family Advocate (OFA) in Johannesburg for two years. The OFA does similar work to the UK Family Court’s CAFCASS.
After moving to the UK, Daniel worked for a year as a social worker for the Surrey County Council.
In 2019, Daniel completed the UK Family Mediation Foundation course with the Family Mediation Association. Later that year, Daniel set up Surrey Family Mediation.
Daniel has full accreditation with the Family Mediation Council. He is also an accredited Child Inclusive Mediator. He is a member of the College of Mediators and Resolution which are both membership organisations of the Family Mediation Council.
Daniel also works with other mediators in his and other practices and often co-mediates meetings.
Daniel's Consultant Advisor is Suzanna Stein. Suzanna is an Accredited Family Mediator with the Family Mediation Council, a Professional Practice Consultant and a Child Inclusive Mediator.
Daniel has two assistants who help him in the day-to-day running of his business: Ricky is his Admin Assistant and Jack is his Social Media manager.
Surrey Family Mediation adopts the highest possible standards and takes all reasonable steps in safeguarding the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults and preventing their abuse.
We are committed to:
• Ensuring that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is always paramount.
• Maximising people’s choice, control and inclusion and protecting their human rights.
• Working in partnership with other agencies in order to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Ensuring safe and effective working practices are in place.
Definitions and Approach
In terms of these guidelines, “child, children and young people” mean those under the age of 18 as defined by The Children Act 1989. A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework.
For general purposes we are on our guard to notice anyone of any age who appears in need of protection or additional support to cope with their living environment in general, or a specific situation (see below in relation to concerns about children.)
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. This may include a person who:
• is receiving a specified welfare service, namely the provision of support, assistance or advice by any person, the purpose of which is to develop an individual’s capacity to live independently in accommodation or support their capacity to do so.
• is receiving a service or participating in an activity for people who have specific needs because of their age or who have any form of disability.
• is an expectant or nursing mother living in residential care.
• is receiving direct payments from a local authority or health and social care trust in lieu of social care services.
• requires assistance in the conduct of their own affairs.
Child protection and safeguarding
Child protection is usually in place to protect children who have already experienced harm, abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or have otherwise been harmed.
Safeguarding is about preventing harm.
In our work with clients we will always check whether children are known to Children’s Services and seek permission to speak to them about any current involvement before proceeding with mediation. As a service we reserve the right to breach confidentiality in the event that we have concerns about the risk of harm.
Our Responsibilities
We accept the principles laid by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and The Children Act 2004 and will:
• Take action to identify and prevent abuse from happening.
• Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
• Ensure that the agreed safeguarding adults and child, children and young people procedures are always followed.
• Understand how diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention and response to safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that information is available for people that use services and that family members are aware of what to do if they have a concern.
• Ensure that we have a DBS check in line with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Responsibilities
• Always follow the safeguarding policies and procedures, particularly if concerns arise about the safety or welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or a young person.
• Participate in safeguarding training and maintain current working knowledge.
• Discuss any concerns about the welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or young people with our PPC
• Contribute to actions required including information sharing and attending meetings.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use services.
• Always remain alert to the possibility of abuse.
• Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.
Procedure for reporting abuse
• If we suspect a vulnerable person is being abused or is at risk of abuse, we will report concerns to our PPC and Children's or social services
• If we feel the person needs urgent medical assistance, we have a duty to call for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity.
• If we have reason to believe the vulnerable person is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
• A report must be completed where there are allegations of abuse and sent to our PPC and social services
• All service users need to be safe. Throughout the process the service user’s needs remain paramount.
Confidentiality and information sharing
It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible so that the individual can be protected. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner. Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where:
• A serious crime has been committed
• Where the alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse others
• Other vulnerable adults are at risk in some way
• The vulnerable adult, child, children and young person is deemed to be in serious risk
• There is a statutory requirement e.g. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Children’s Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983, Care Standards Act 2000
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual
• When a member of staff of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is the person accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.
We are committed to:
• Ensuring that the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults is always paramount.
• Maximising people’s choice, control and inclusion and protecting their human rights.
• Working in partnership with other agencies in order to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
• Ensuring safe and effective working practices are in place.
Definitions and Approach
In terms of these guidelines, “child, children and young people” mean those under the age of 18 as defined by The Children Act 1989. A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. The Care Act 2014 sets out a clear legal framework.
For general purposes we are on our guard to notice anyone of any age who appears in need of protection or additional support to cope with their living environment in general, or a specific situation (see below in relation to concerns about children.)
Definition of Vulnerable Adults
A vulnerable adult is a person aged 18 years or over who may be unable to take care of themselves or protect themselves from harm or from being exploited. This may include a person who:
• is receiving a specified welfare service, namely the provision of support, assistance or advice by any person, the purpose of which is to develop an individual’s capacity to live independently in accommodation or support their capacity to do so.
• is receiving a service or participating in an activity for people who have specific needs because of their age or who have any form of disability.
• is an expectant or nursing mother living in residential care.
• is receiving direct payments from a local authority or health and social care trust in lieu of social care services.
• requires assistance in the conduct of their own affairs.
Child protection and safeguarding
Child protection is usually in place to protect children who have already experienced harm, abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or have otherwise been harmed.
Safeguarding is about preventing harm.
In our work with clients we will always check whether children are known to Children’s Services and seek permission to speak to them about any current involvement before proceeding with mediation. As a service we reserve the right to breach confidentiality in the event that we have concerns about the risk of harm.
Our Responsibilities
We accept the principles laid by the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 and The Children Act 2004 and will:
• Take action to identify and prevent abuse from happening.
• Respond appropriately when abuse has or is suspected to have occurred.
• Ensure that the agreed safeguarding adults and child, children and young people procedures are always followed.
• Understand how diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services may influence the identification, prevention and response to safeguarding concerns.
• Ensure that information is available for people that use services and that family members are aware of what to do if they have a concern.
• Ensure that we have a DBS check in line with the requirements of the Independent Safeguarding Authority.
Vetting and Barring Scheme Responsibilities
• Always follow the safeguarding policies and procedures, particularly if concerns arise about the safety or welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or a young person.
• Participate in safeguarding training and maintain current working knowledge.
• Discuss any concerns about the welfare of a vulnerable adult, a child, children or young people with our PPC
• Contribute to actions required including information sharing and attending meetings.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of people who use services.
• Always remain alert to the possibility of abuse.
• Recognise the impact that diversity, beliefs and values of people who use services can have.
Procedure for reporting abuse
• If we suspect a vulnerable person is being abused or is at risk of abuse, we will report concerns to our PPC and Children's or social services
• If we feel the person needs urgent medical assistance, we have a duty to call for an ambulance or arrange for a doctor to see the person at the earliest opportunity.
• If we have reason to believe the vulnerable person is in immediate and serious risk of harm or that a crime has been committed the police must be called.
• A report must be completed where there are allegations of abuse and sent to our PPC and social services
• All service users need to be safe. Throughout the process the service user’s needs remain paramount.
Confidentiality and information sharing
It is important to identify an abusive situation as early as possible so that the individual can be protected. Withholding information may lead to abuse not being dealt with in a timely manner. Confidentiality must never be confused with secrecy. Consent is not required to breach confidentiality (capacity issues must be considered) and make a safeguarding referral where:
• A serious crime has been committed
• Where the alleged perpetrator may go on to abuse others
• Other vulnerable adults are at risk in some way
• The vulnerable adult, child, children and young person is deemed to be in serious risk
• There is a statutory requirement e.g. Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, Children’s Act 2004, Mental Health Act 1983, Care Standards Act 2000
• The public interest overrides the interest of the individual
• When a member of staff of a statutory service, a private or voluntary service or a volunteer is the person accused of abuse, malpractice or poor professional standards.