WTA Training Contracts

Home Based
4 days ago

Description

Mediators of the Future: WTA Training Contracts

The Family Mediation Trust is looking for up to two talented mediators at the beginning of their careers who want to become outstanding family mediators and build their future with the Trust.

We believe excellent mediation should be available to everyone. Whether a client is extremely wealthy or struggling to find the money to feed their children, they should receive the same commitment, professionalism and quality of mediation.

We are particularly interested in developing mediators who share our commitment to accessible mediation and legal aid.

Our Mediators of the Future programme is open to anyone who has successfully completed recognised family mediation foundation training and is currently Working Towards Accreditation.
  • Just finished your foundation training? Apply.
  • Halfway through your portfolio? Apply.
  • WTA but struggling to get the case experience and support you need to achieve accreditation? Apply.
We are not looking for two finished mediators. We are looking for two people with the values, ability and potential to become outstanding mediators, and we are prepared to invest in helping them get there.

Up to two people will initially be offered a structured volunteer training contract with the Trust. You will work alongside our experienced team of accredited mediators, gain meaningful practical experience and receive dedicated support from our two in-house PPCs.

This is a development pathway with a clear expectation of progression towards FMCA. Successful candidates will be expected to actively work towards accreditation, maintain their portfolio and commit to submitting for accreditation within an agreed timeframe. Progress will be reviewed regularly with their PPC and the Trust.

Our intention is that, as trainees develop the necessary competence and experience, they will progress from the volunteer training stage into paid employment with the Family Mediation Trust.

We are making a significant investment in the people we select and are therefore looking for candidates who want to build a future with us. Successful candidates will be expected to commit to remaining with the Family Mediation Trust for a minimum of two years following accreditation, with the detailed terms agreed as part of the training and subsequent employment arrangements.

This opportunity is therefore unlikely to suit someone simply looking for case experience to complete their portfolio before immediately moving into independent practice. It is designed for people who want to learn, develop and become part of a team delivering high-quality mediation to clients from every background.

Applications are open now, with initial shortlisting on 1 October 2026.

Those shortlisted will be invited to a free group PPC and development session with our team. This is an opportunity for us to get to know you, but also for you to meet us, experience how we approach PPC and decide whether the Trust is the right environment for you.

Following that session, we will make a further shortlist for interview.

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Who we are looking for

You do not need to be an experienced mediator. We are looking for potential, values and a genuine desire to develop.

Applicants must:
  • Have successfully completed an FMC recognised foundation training course in family mediation.
  • Be registered, or eligible to register, as Working Towards Accreditation with the Family Mediation Council.
  • Be committed to working towards FMCA.
  • Believe strongly in making high-quality family mediation accessible regardless of a client's income or circumstances.
  • Be willing to work with legally aided clients and believe in the importance of legal aid within family mediation.
  • Have the ability to work sensitively with people experiencing conflict, financial difficulty and complex family circumstances.
  • Be open to supervision, challenge, feedback and reflective practice.
  • Be willing to learn from experienced mediators and contribute positively to a supportive mediation team.
  • Have high standards of professionalism, confidentiality and safeguarding.
Above all, we are looking for people with the potential to become excellent mediators. We are interested in how you think, how you work with people and what you believe good mediation should achieve.

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What we will invest in you

This is intended to be much more than an opportunity to observe mediation. We want to develop people who can become part of the future of the Family Mediation Trust.

Successful applicants will receive:

• A structured training contract within a specialist family mediation organisation.
• Direct support from our two in-house PPCs.
• Opportunities to work alongside and learn from our team of accredited family mediators.
• Practical experience to support development towards FMCA.
• Regular PPC, feedback and reflective practice.
• Exposure to a broad range of mediation work, including children, finance, legal aid and more complex cases.
• Access to the Trust's internal learning and development opportunities.
• Support in developing the skills and experience required to become an effective practising mediator.
• A potential pathway into paid employment with the Family Mediation Trust as your skills and experience develop.

For those who progress into employment with the Trust, we invest further through paid employment, PPC support and support towards relevant CPD and training costs.
We are looking for people in whom we can make a long-term investment, not simply trainees to complete a placement.

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What you will do

As a WTA mediator on the Mediators of the Future programme, you will progressively build your practical mediation skills under the guidance of experienced mediators and PPCs.

Depending on your experience and stage of development, this will include:
  • Observing and learning from experienced accredited mediators.
  • Participating in mediation work appropriate to your level of competence and experience.
  • Developing the practical skills required for MIAMs and mediation sessions.
  • Building experience across different types of family mediation cases.
  • Working towards the requirements for FMCA and developing your portfolio.
  • Attending PPC, supervision, training and reflective practice sessions.
  • Seeking and responding constructively to feedback.
  • Maintaining appropriate case records and working within Trust procedures.
  • Following FMC standards and the Trust's policies on safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection and professional practice.
  • Working collaboratively with mediators, PPCs and the Trust's administration team.
  • Demonstrating the same commitment to quality for every client, including legally aided and privately paying clients.
  • Taking increasing responsibility for mediation work as your competence and experience develop.
The programme will be tailored to your starting point. We do not expect someone who has just completed foundation training to have the same experience as someone already well into their portfolio. What we do expect is commitment, curiosity, professionalism and the ambition to become an outstanding family mediator.

Apply Now
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