Annual Report 2014 -15 | Page 56

Family Dispute Resolution This year, we assisted 5,542 clients through our Family Relationship Centres and Dispute Resolution Services. These services aim to assist separated parents in reaching parenting agreements through the process of mediation. This is an affordable form of mediation that does not involve legal action. Through these services 307 written agreements and 234 Parenting Plans were agreed in 2014-15. Parenting agreements, whether full or partial, have been shown to substantially minimise conflict between parents and secure stable arrangements for the ongoing care and wellbeing of their children. This is a confidential process where one or two trained mediators help parents in conflict come up with solutions that everyone can agree with. 54