Be Informed
Child Protection Mediation

Child protection mediation is a voluntary and confidential process where child protection social workers and families work together to resolve conflicts with the assistance of a trained impartial third party (a Child Protection Mediator). This free service assists the participants to reach agreements that are in the best interests of children. Children’s safety remains a priority and issues such as whether or not a child is in need of protection or facts about the existence or non existence of abuse or neglect is not mediated. Mediation can empower families involved with child protection services to be an active participant in decisions affecting them and it can reduce the need for court involvement .

Specially trained private mediators are hired to ensure that the mediation process will remain impartial and fair. Participants usually include the parents, the mediator and the child protection social worker and his or her supervisor. The family may identify friends, foster parents, elders, counselors, other individuals and legal counsel. The child may sometimes be involved. The final decision about who participates in the mediation will be made by the child protection mediator.

Some of the benefits of child protection mediation are: confidentiality, inclusion of parents in decision-making about their families, enhanced communication between the participants, tailor-made solutions, greater satisfaction with outcomes, and improved relations between the family and social worker.

For further information or to make a referral, contact the Child Protection Mediation Manager, Department of Justice and Consumer Affairs at  506-444-3444 or 1-888-236-2444 or by e-mail at cpm-mpe@gnb.ca.