Mediation and Support

Breakdown in family relationships is the leading cause of youth homelessness in Scotland (Scottish Government). With early interventions like mediation, it is possible to prevent the worst from occurring.

“There is no doubt that J was going to be put out if things went on the way they were going. From the beginning, just having someone to talk to and share my concerns was helpful. I was able to change my approach – I am still mindful of this and take more time before responding to J. Home life is so much better. Thank you for your help.” - Parent

What is mediation?

Sometimes talking to each other about things we are not happy about can be difficult.

Mediation is a way we can offer support to you and your family to talk about things that are causing you upset, helping you and your family to come to an agreement and perhaps understand each other better. Simply put, mediation is when a mediator sits with you and your family and supports you to talk to each other. The less talking the mediator does the better! But we will be there to help out as needed.

We recognise each family has its own unique strengths and challenges. Our Mediators and Family Outreach Workers provide a service to fit each family, finding a way forward together that works for everyone. Building strong relationships makes it easier to sort out difficulties and is an important part of feeling safe and happier at home for everyone.

Our Mediators help families talk to each other in a positive way without making judgements or telling them what to do. They listen to concerns and help people understand each other better.

Our Family Outreach Workers provide one-to-one support with things such as increasing young people’s confidence in communicating their needs to others, practical support around education, work, community engagement, developing skills to manage anger and understanding how relationships work.

"You rescued us when we didn’t know where to turn.” - Parent

Our projects include:

• Keeping Families Together (national)
• Amber East Lothian - In East Lothian, we offer support to families where a young person (14 – 24 years old) is on the cusp of care because of a relationship breakdown. Working in partnership with East Lothian Council, we work with families to find the best outcome for them, whether that be the young person staying at home or supporting them to move out.
• East Lothian Mediation and Whole Family Support (partnership with Circle) - funded by East Lothian Council and building on existing services offered by Cyrenians (‘Asked to Leave’) and Circle (Whole Family Support), where a young person or family is at risk of homelessness. There are three strands to the project delivery:

1. ‘Asked to Leave’ (Mediation and Whole Family Support) - young people (aged 14+) and families
2. Direct provision of whole family support – younger children and families
3. Training & Development to identify and prevent homelessness

• The Promise East Lothian and Midlothian - Our Promise work in partnership with East Lothian Council and Midlothian Council will see us working upstream of our Keeping Families Together project, with residential care settings and kinship carers. In this project, we also offer conflict resolution workshops, which follow a set 6-week ‘Fight or Flight' programme or more bespoke depending on individual needs.

Even if you are unsure if Mediation and Support is right for your family and the particular circumstances you are facing (or a family you are supporting), please do not hesitate to contact us at mediationandsupport@cyrenians.scot. We are happy to answer your questions and see if we're the right fit.