Initial interview and assessment
When you contact one of our offices you will speak to an FDRP who will arrange a preliminary individual interview to discuss your family situation and the issues you wish to address. This meeting is private and confidential and enables the Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner to explain the process to you and to assess that it is a suitable option. It also gives you the opportunity to find out more about us and our service and to ask any questions about the process or other services which may be of assistance.
Following your interview the other parent is invited to participate in the FDR process and attend an initial interview and assessment with the FDRP. If both parties and the FDRP agree if is appropriate to proceed arrangements will be made for a joint FDR session.
Family Dispute Resolution sessions with both parties
Joint sessions are usually face to face and a co-mediator (FDRP) may also work with the FDRP who conducted your individual interviews. These sessions may take 2-3 hours and the FDRPs will facilitate the session to:
• identify a list of issues you wish to discuss
• clarify your needs, concerns and responsibilities
• develop and test a range of options
• assist you to reach a practical and workable agreement.
At the conclusion of the joint session both parties and the FDRPs will determine any need for further session/s or for other services, such as child inclusive practice.
Some people find it helpful to initially make interim agreements and arrange a time to review them eg before the children start school or high school, or when family circumstances or the developmental needs of children may require some review of arrangements. In other cases people make final decision about a property settlement as well as parenting arrangements and, having had independent legal advice, agree to seek consent orders based on their FDR agreement. FDRPs work in consultation with each family to tailor an appropriate and timely FDR process to meet family needs.