LGBT+ Inclusion and Safeguarding in Child-Focused Family Mediation

This 3-hour training course focuses on child-centred family mediation where issues relating to sexual orientation and/or gender identity form part of the wider family context. This may include situations where a child identifies as LGBT+, where a parent identifies as LGBT+, or where children or family members are struggling to understand or accept another family member’s identity.

The course is designed to help mediators manage these situations without discrimination, while maintaining professional impartiality, safeguarding children’s wellbeing, and ensuring the mediation process remains safe, respectful and balanced for everyone involved.

Rather than focusing on labels, the training centres on practice: how identity-related issues can affect children during separation, how conflict and discrimination may arise, and how mediators can respond appropriately within their professional role.

Child-focused approach

The course places the child’s experience and wellbeing at the centre of mediation practice. It recognises that children and young people may be directly affected by identity-related conflict even where they do not personally identify as LGBT+, and that distress often arises from family dynamics, misunderstanding or rejection rather than identity itself.

Particular care is given to:

• children whose identity may be evolving, uncertain or not yet defined
• children experiencing loyalty conflicts, fear of rejection, or exposure to discriminatory language or behaviour
• ensuring children’s voices and needs are not marginalised within adult conflict

Mediators are supported to remain curious, non-assumptive and developmentally informed when working with children and parents in these cases.

Terminology and professional boundaries

The term LGBT+ is used in this course as a widely accepted umbrella term, while clearly distinguishing between sexual orientation and gender identity, recognising that these are separate aspects of identity with different practical and safeguarding considerations.

The training emphasises:

• working without assumption or pressure to label
• respecting self-identification or non-identification
• recognising that identity-related conflict often stems from others’ responses rather than the identity itself

The focus throughout is on safe, inclusive practice, not advocacy or instruction on identity.

What the course covers

Participants will explore:

• The experience of children and young people where sexual orientation or gender identity is part of family conflict
• Supporting children whether they identify as LGBT+ themselves or are affected by a parent’s identity
• Inclusive language and communication in a family mediation context
• Recognising and responding to discrimination, bias and harmful behaviour within mediation
• Identifying power imbalance, vulnerability and safeguarding risks linked to identity-based conflict
• Maintaining mediator impartiality while ensuring the process remains safe and non-discriminatory
• Understanding when neutrality requires intervention to protect the process
• Appropriate signposting and support routes for children, young people and families

Neutrality, safety and non-discrimination

A central theme of the course is the distinction between impartiality and inaction. Mediators are supported to understand:

• how to remain neutral between participants
• when and how to challenge discriminatory behaviour or language
• how to uphold equality and safeguarding responsibilities without taking sides
• how to manage situations where identity is used as a source of control, blame or pressure

This supports mediators to protect both the integrity of the process and the safety of those involved.

Who the course is for

• Family mediators (legal aid and private)
• Trainee (WTA@s) and newly accredited mediators
• PPCs and practice leads
• Mediation administrators and client-facing staff supporting families

Delivery Partner: AllSorts Youth Project

This course will be led by Ben Dew, Head of Training at Allsorts. Allsorts has supported LGBT+ children and young people since 1999, and their families since 2013. Over that time, hundreds of families have connected through Allsorts, building a strong community of support and friendship across East and West Sussex.

Allsorts is also a leading provider of training and delivers the Parents & Carers Service, meaning the session is grounded in real-life situations families navigate every day, with practical insight and learning you can apply immediately.