A Positive Change for Children’s Safety and Family Wellbeing

There’s welcome news for families across England and Wales. The government has
announced that the legal presumption that children should have contact with both
parents will be scrapped. From now on, the courts will look at what’s best for each
individual child — with safety, wellbeing, and the child’s voice at the heart of every
decision.
(Source: The Guardian, Oct 2025)
This change is being celebrated as a victory for children and survivors of domestic
abuse. It recognises that every family’s story is different, and that protecting children
must always come first.
What this means for mediation
In family mediation, we already believe that safety and understanding are the
foundations of healthy agreements. This change reinforces that belief:
 Safety comes first — no parent or child should ever feel unsafe.
 Children’s voices matter — their feelings and experiences guide the
process.
 Every family is unique — mediation helps parents create arrangements that
truly fit their situation.
At Essex Mediation Online our mediators are here to listen with care, help you
communicate safely, and support you in finding a way forward that protects what
matters most — your children’s wellbeing.
If you’d like to find out more about mediation, please reach out. You don’t have to
navigate this alone.
info@essexmediationonline.co.uk