Volunteer Director - Family Mediation Council

What will you be doing?

The FMC wishes to co-opt a Director as one of those three Board members. The Director appointed will play an important role in providing an impartial voice on the Board. The role is not paid, although the cost of reasonable travel to all meetings on FMC-related business will be reimbursed. The role of the co-opted Director is anticipated to involve a time commitment of two days per month, including a meeting of the Board online or in London approximately five times a year. Much of the work can be carried out remotely. The role is subject to a review after three months.  It is anticipated that the appointment will be for a period of 4 years in accordance with the rules laid down in the Articles of Association. The Board is supported by an Executive Officer and a company which carries out the FMC’s administration.  The role of the co-opted Director is to: - act as an impartial voice on the FMC Board; - contribute to developing the FMC’s strategy by actively preparing for and contributing to FMC Board meetings and work arising from these; - contribute to the good governance of the FMC by ensuring the Board follows good governance principles; - contribute to the promotion of family mediation by representing the FMC to, and maintaining good relationships with, the family mediation community, government, other relevant organisations and the public; - take responsibility for overseeing and acting as the board’s point of contact for a particular project or projects, or area(s) of work, depending on the board’s requirement and you own availability from time to time.

What are we looking for?

It is likely that the co-opted Director will have the following experience, skills and attributes:

independence of mind, and a willingness to question and to challenge experience of financial systems and processes and/or digital communications including social media knowledge of the family justice system, different forms of dispute resolution or of regulation in any context excellent verbal and written communication skills the diplomacy and tact to work constructively and collaboratively the capacity to see the bigger picture, to clarify issues and to work through problems enthusiasm, energy and commitment to the role

Mediation participants come from all walks of life, and we think it is important that our directors come from a wide variety of backgrounds to be able to have the broadest understanding possible of mediation participants’ needs as well as to enable us to bring different experiences to the board table. We therefore welcome applications from everybody who believes they may have some of the desired skills and experience set out above.

What difference will you make?

Independent (non-mediator) directors who sit on the FMC board ensure that the FMC continues to deliver its objective of promoting family mediation for the benefit of the public. This has a positive impact on the lives of children and families who may otherwise choose to take their case to court, with all the stress, cost and negative consequences for ongoing parent relationships that that may bring. In recent years, the FMC has worked with government to put mediation at the heart of its strategy to support separating families, to ensure legal aid continues to be available for those on low incomes and to operate the Ministry of Justice's family mediation voucher scheme. The FMC also ensures that the public has access to mediators who meet agreed professional standards through the Family Mediation Standards Board, and by offering a searchable register of mediators who meet those standards.