Child Inclusive Practice,
Gold Coast.
Putting Children’s Needs at the Centre of Family Dispute Resolution. By keeping children’s needs at the centre of discussions, families are often better equipped to develop practical and sustainable parenting arrangements.
“A 15-minute call is often enough to know if mediation is the right path forward.”
- 0431 137 139
What is
Child Inclusive Practice
Child Inclusive Practice is a child-focused approach used within Family Dispute Resolution and mediation processes.
It assists parents in considering the impact of family separation and conflict from their children’s perspective and encourages decision-making that prioritises the children’s emotional, social, and developmental needs.
Child Inclusive Practice does not place children in the middle of parental disputes or require them to choose between parents. Instead, it provides parents with greater insight into how children may be experiencing family changes and supports child-focused decision-making.
The goal is to help parents develop arrangements that promote healthy relationships, emotional wellbeing, and positive outcomes for their children.
- Parenting arrangements
- Child-related decisions
- Property settlements
- Financial matters following separation
- Communication and co-parenting issues
- Family relationship disputes
Why is
Child Inclusive Practice
Important?
Research consistently shows that children benefit when parents can communicate effectively, minimise conflict, and make decisions that prioritise their needs.
Family separation can create uncertainty and emotional challenges for children, particularly when conflict remains unresolved.
By shifting the focus from positions and disagreements to the needs of children, families are often able to achieve more constructive and lasting outcomes.
Mediation is rarely about who's right — it's about finding a way forward that everyone can live with.
- Better understand their children's experiences
- Focus discussions on children's needs rather than parental conflict
- Improve communication and co-parenting relationships
- Develop child-focused parenting arrangements
- Support children's emotional wellbeing
- Reduce the negative impacts of ongoing conflict
Child-Focused
decision making
A key principle of Child Inclusive Practice is helping parents consider important questions such as:
Current Situation
How is our child experiencing the current situation?
Wellbeing
What arrangements will best support our child’s wellbeing?
Conflict
How can we reduce conflict and create stability?
Communication
What communication approaches will benefit our child?
Healthy relationships
How can we support healthy relationships moving forward?
Shared responsibilities
Joint decision-making frameworks for major long-term issues.
How Child Inclusive Practice Supports Family Dispute Resolution
Child Inclusive Practice can be integrated into Family Dispute Resolution processes to support more informed and child-focused discussions.
The process helps parents explore options and develop arrangements that support children while maintaining parental responsibility and decision-making.
- Developing parenting arrangements after separation
- Reviewing existing parenting agreements
- Experiencing communication difficulties
- Navigating high-conflict parenting situations
- Seeking to better understand their children's needs
- Working through complex family transitions
Child Inclusive Practice vs
Child Inclusive Mediation
Although the terms are often used together, Child Inclusive Practice (CIP) and Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM) are not identical.
Child Inclusive Practice (CIP)
Child Inclusive Practice focuses on helping parents maintain a child-centred perspective throughout Family Dispute Resolution and parenting discussions.
The emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental and emotional needs and incorporating those considerations into decision-making.
Child Inclusive Mediation (CIM)
Child Inclusive Mediation involves a specially trained child consultant who may meet with children and provide feedback to parents during the mediation process.
This approach can provide additional insight into children’s experiences where appropriate.
GC Mediation Group can discuss whether Child Inclusive Practice or Child Inclusive Mediation may be suitable based on your family’s circumstances.
06 / BENEFITS
Who May Benefit From Child Inclusive Practice?
Separated or divorcing parents
Parents negotiating parenting arrangements
Families experiencing ongoing parenting disputes
Parents seeking to improve co-parenting relationships
Families navigating significant transitions
Parents wanting to understand children's needs during separation
07 / WHY GCMG
Why families choose our practice.
We understand that family disputes are deeply personal and emotionally complex. Our aim is to help families reach practical solutions while maintaining dignity, respect, and a clear focus on future outcomes.
Professional & impartial
Tertiary-qualified, accredited practitioners. Neutral, structured facilitation grounded in family law and psychology.
Supportive environment
A respectful, calm setting — designed to lower temperature so the work of the mediation can actually happen.
Child-focused
Where appropriate, child-inclusive approaches help parents see arrangements through their children’s eyes.
Flexible mediation
In-person on the Gold Coast, secure video Australia-wide, or shuttle mediation where parties are not in the same room.
Experienced guidance
Over a decade across the Children’s Court, Federal Circuit & Family Court, and DFV jurisdictions.
Focused on moving forward
The goal is a durable agreement and a workable next chapter — not winning the conversation in the room.
08 / FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Short answers to the questions we hear most often. For anything not covered here, a 15-minute call is the fastest way to a real answer.
i. Does Child Inclusive Practice involve children attending mediation?
Not necessarily. Child Inclusive Practice focuses on ensuring that children’s needs remain central to discussions and decision-making. The process does not automatically involve direct participation by children.
ii. Is Child Inclusive Practice suitable for all families?
Suitability depends on the circumstances of each family. We can discuss your situation and determine whether Child Inclusive Practice may be beneficial.
iii. What is the difference between CIP and CIM?
Child Inclusive Practice focuses on maintaining a child-centred approach during mediation. Child Inclusive Mediation may involve a child consultant who provides feedback to parents regarding children’s experiences and needs.
iv. Can Child Inclusive Practice help reduce conflict?
Yes. By shifting attention towards children’s wellbeing, parents are often able to communicate more constructively and work towards practical solutions.
BOOK A CONSULTATION
A calmer way
forward starts here.
If you would like to learn more about Child Inclusive Practice and how it may support your family’s circumstances, GC Mediation Group is here to help.
Our experienced team can discuss available Family Dispute Resolution options and help determine the most appropriate approach for your situation.
Contact GC Mediation Group today to arrange a confidential consultation.