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Child Consultancy Services

I am a Child Consultant for Child Inclusive Mediation. I am certified through “Children Beyond Dispute” by Jenny Macintosh. 

I work out of my home office in Killara providing a comfortable, non- clinical and inviting space for children and teen interviews. Otherwise I am able to conduct child interviews online, at mediation rooms or lawyer rooms.

I can conduct parenting interviews online. (Note: All pending individual case assessment/appropriateness). I use a range of tools to help young children feel comfortable to express themselves (especially for those children that are non verbal or are having difficulty expressing emotions/feelings) including Bear Cards, colouring/drawing, Play dough, Lego and family dolls.

For teens, I have a Sheepadoodle therapy dog called “Bob” who is fabulous with his bear hugs!

For parents, there is a myriad of cafes surrounding the area for a comfortable wait. I aim to make the interview process, as less stressful and intimidating as possible, for children and parents who are understandably, already feeling overwhelmed.

A Child Consultant is a qualified professional with expertise in child development, family dynamics and the impact of separation on children. Within the family mediation (Family Dispute Resolution) process, a child consultant ensures that children’s developmental needs, emotional wellbeing and best interests remain central to decision-making.

A Child Consultant speaks with children (if assessed as appropriate by the FDRP and Child Consultant) in a safe and supportive environment to understand their experiences, concerns, and needs, often in the context of parental separation or family disputes.

Their role is to provide the child’s perspective to parents and other decision-makers in the mediation process via Child Inclusive Mediation, which can help facilitate child-focused agreements that are more likely to be durable and, in the child’s, best interest.  

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  • Provide insight into children’s developmental needs, temperament and attachment patterns.
  • Identify factors that may be affecting a child’s adjustment to separation.
  • Assist parents to understand how conflict impacts children at different ages and stages.
  • Meet with children (with parental consent) in a developmentally appropriate way.
  • Provide children with a safe opportunity to express their experiences and perspectives.
  • Offer feedback to parents within mediation to help inform parenting arrangements.

Note: The purpose is not for children to make decisions, but for their experiences to be considered respectfully.

  • Educate parents about child development, emotional regulation and the effects of ongoing conflict.
  • Support parents to create practical, child focused parenting arrangements.
  • Provide guidance on transitions, routines, and communication with their children about separation.
  • Assist mediators and parents in matters involving high conflict, blended families, relocation issues, or concerns about children’s emotional wellbeing.
  • Help identify when additional therapeutic or specialist support may be beneficial.
  • Provide child-focused input to support the development of sustainable parenting plans.
  • Ensure that proposed arrangements are developmentally appropriate and promote stability and safety.

Note: In line with the principals of the Family Law Act 1975, the child consultant’s role is to support parents to prioritise their children’s safety, wellbeing and meaningful relationships, while minimising exposure to conflict.

Confidentiality within the child consultant process is dependent on the setting in which it occurs. The three settings are part of FDRP, Court appointed and privately engaged.

Note: Parenting Coordination is not a substitute for mediation, therapy, legal advice, counselling, or psychological services. It’s a structured neutral, co parenting support role focused on practical implementation and reducing conflict.

Parenting Coordination is conducted in accordance with the Australian Legal and professional guidelines; however, it is not a confidential mediation process under the Family Law Act 1975 (cth), and information may be shared with the court, legal representatives, or other authorised professionals where required by court order, written agreement, or legal obligation (including child safety concerns). I am a mandatory reporter for any abuse or risk of abuse, threats, neglect to any party or property and extended beyond that including children.

Part of FDRP:

When a Child Consultant is engaged within a Family Dispute Resolution Process under the Family Law Act 1975:

  • The process is generally confidential under Part II of the Act.
  • Communications made during FDR are also generally inadmissible in court.
  • There are important exceptions: Risk of child abuse or family Violence, Mandatory reporting obligations, threats to a person’s safety, to prevent a serious crime, Where parties consent disclosure.

Note: When Child Consultant meets directly with children as part of child-inclusive FDR process, that work typically falls within the same confidentiality framework as the mediation.

Child Consultant is Court-Appointed:

If the Child Consultant is appointed within court proceedings (foe example, in matters before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia):

  • The process is not confidential in the same way as FDR.
  • The consultant may prepare a report for the court.
  • Information obtained may be shared with the court and parties s part of the proceedings.

If Privately Engaged Outside of FDR:

If a Child Consultant is privately engaged outside a normal FDR process:

  • Confidentiality will depend on the service agreement and professional obligations.
  • Mandatory reporting and child safety obligations still apply.
  • The process is not automatically protected by the statutory confidentiality provisions of the Family Law Act.

How the Child Consultant Process works:

  1. Assessment and preparation: Once your FDRP has assessed your case is appropriate for Child Inclusive Mediation they will refer you to a Child Consultant. The Child Consultant will gather relevant background information and meet with both parents via individual or jointly sessions based on a risk assessment of safety and appropriateness within regards to consultancy from the FDRP, to understand concerns and family dynamics.
  1. Child-Inclusive Practise: If it has been assessed by the FDRP and the Child Consultant that Child Inclusive Practise is appropriate, then with both parents consent, the Child Consultant will arrange to meet with the children or child in a safe, developmentally appropriate manner. The purpose is to:
  • Provide children with an opportunity to express their experiences
  • Understand how the current arrangements are affecting them.
  • Identify developmental emotional or practical needs.

Note: Children are not asked to choose between parents or determine the outcomes.

  1. Feedback to Parents: The Child Consultant provides structured feedback within the mediation process, usually in the beginning after the mediators opening statement, focussing on:
  • The Child’s developmental needs.
  • Themes arising from the child’s experience (not confidential disclosures beyond the agreed framework).
  • Practical considerations to support stability and wellbeing.

This feedback informs the discussion and assists parents to develop workable, child-focused parenting arrangements. Parents can choose to have the Child Consultant support them for the entirety of the mediation process to ensure discussions remain child inclusive based on the feedback given or they can be asked to leave after they have given the feedback. The FDRP will arrange with both parents prior to the mediation session to get consent.

 

Services not provided:

While a Child Consultant plays an important role in supporting child-focused decision-making during family mediation, their role has clear professional boundaries. A Child Consultant does not:

  • Make Decisions for the Family: Children do not decide parenting arrangements, and the Child Consultant does not determine outcomes. Decision-making remains with the parents (or the court, if proceedings are on foot).
  • Provide Legal Advice: Child Consultants do not give legal advice or represent either parent. For legal guidance, parties should consult an independent family lawyer.
  • Conduct Therapy or Ongoing Counselling: The Child Consultant role is assessment and feedback- focused within mediation. It is not a therapeutic or counselling service for children or parents.
  • Prepare Court Reports (in FDR context): When engaged within Family Dispute Resolution, a child Consultant does not prepare expert reports for court or provide forensic assessments. (Court-appointed family consultants operate under a different framework).
  • Act as an Advocate for the child: While children may be heard in a child-inclusive process, the Child Consultant does not “take sides” or advocate for one parent or for the child against a parent. Their role in neutral and child-focused.
  • Guarantee outcomes: The Child Consultant cannot guarantee that the parents will reach agreement or that arrangements will remain conflict-free.

Clear Role Boundaries: The Child Consultant’s role is to provide developmental insight, support child-focused reflection, and assist parents to consider their children’s experiences- always within professional, ethical and legislative guidelines.