Creating Career Path...

Finding Further Careers...

Law & Legal Services

Mediator

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A mediator helps people or groups resolve conflicts without going to court. This role involves listening to all sides of a disagreement, facilitating discussions, and guiding parties toward a mutually acceptable solution. Mediators remain neutral and do not make decisions for the parties involved. Instead, they help people talk through their issues and find common ground. Mediators work in various areas including family law, workplace disputes, commercial disagreements, and community conflicts. The job requires excellent communication skills, patience, and the ability to stay impartial. Many mediators have a background in law, human resources, or counselling, but formal qualifications in mediation are also available.

Mediator

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Mediators in the UK typically earn between £25,000 and £45,000 per year, with experienced professionals earning upwards of £60,000.

Employment Opportunities

There are approximately 6,000 practising mediators in the UK, with demand growing in sectors such as family law, workplace disputes, and commercial disagreements.

Typical Working Hours

Most mediators work standard office hours, but some flexibility is required, especially when mediating disputes outside the workplace or between parties in different time zones.

🚀 Careers in this path

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Family Mediator

Helps families resolve disputes, such as custody arrangements or divorce settlements, without going to court.

Flag Media

Please select a reason for flagging this content.

Workplace Mediator

Assists employees and employers in resolving conflicts at work, improving communication and workplace relationships.

Community Mediator

Works with local communities to resolve neighbourhood disputes, such as disagreements between neighbours or community groups.

Learn About Mediation and its Role

Research the Mediation Profession

Find out what mediators do, where they work, and the skills required for the role.

Read about mediation online, watch videos, and possibly attend an open day or careers event. Look into different types of mediation such as family, workplace, or community mediation. This will help you understand if this is the right career for you.

Develop Core Skills

Work on communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.

Mediators need to listen carefully, remain neutral, and help people find solutions together. You can practise these skills through school clubs, volunteering, or work experience in settings where conflict might arise, such as youth organisations or customer service roles.

Obtain Relevant Qualifications

Complete Your Education

Finish your GCSEs and consider A-levels or equivalent qualifications.

There is no set route to become a mediator, but most have strong educational backgrounds. Subjects like law, psychology, or social sciences can be particularly useful. Consider what interests you and how it might link to mediation.

Undertake Mediation Training

Take a recognised mediation training course.

Look for accredited courses with organisations such as the Civil Mediation Council or the College of Mediators. These courses provide practical skills, theory, and sometimes opportunities to practise mediation in real-life scenarios. Entry requirements can vary depending on the course provider.

Gain Experience and Professional Recognition

Gain Practical Experience

Volunteer or work in roles that involve mediation or conflict resolution.

You can find volunteering opportunities with community groups, charities, or local authorities that offer mediation services. Some organisations offer internships or shadowing opportunities to help you build experience and confidence.

Join a Professional Body

Apply to join a professional mediation organisation.

Membership of organisations like the Civil Mediation Council or College of Mediators can boost your credibility and provide access to further training, networking events, and job opportunities. Continuing professional development is important in this field.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Mediator. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

A family mediator primarily facilitates communication and negotiations between parties, often in sensitive situations like divorce or child arrangements. Similarly, a mediator in general acts as an impartial facilitator to help resolve disputes, making the family mediator the closest match in terms of qualifications and skills required.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • volunteering
  • applying directly
  • training with a professional association

University

You could do a degree or postgraduate diploma to get some of the skills you need for this job.

Relevant subjects include:

  • social work
  • law
  • counselling
  • psychology
  • psychotherapy
  • education

Training programmes

You'll improve your job prospects if you take an accredited training programme after university. The programme has to be approved by the Family Mediation Council (FMC).

Training programmes include:

  • a taught course
  • practical experience
  • support to build a portfolio

In addition to a degree, training providers may expect you to have experience dealing with conflict and managing relationships.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Volunteering

You might find it easier to join a training course if you volunteer to work with families at places such as:

Direct Application

You can apply for a job as a trainee family mediator if you have a higher education qualification and experience in law, social work or counselling.

When you apply, you'll need to show you have the right personal qualities and skills to be a family mediator.

Other Routes

You've also got the option to train with a professional association.

Each association sets their own criteria to join but most will expect you to have experience from paid work or volunteering.

Professional associations that offer training include:

More Information

Career tips

Many people become a family mediator as a second career. Employers will like it if you have life experience and evidence of supporting people with challenging problems.

Further information

You can get more advice about working in family mediation from the Family Mediation Council.

Interested in More Career Paths?

Explore other careers or use our AI to discover personalised paths based on your interests.

Browse All Careers Generate New Career Path

Stay connected

Join our newsletter to stay up to date on features and releases

Address
Developing Experts Limited
Exchange Street Buildings
35-37 Exchange Street
Norwich
NR2 1DP
UK

Phone
01603 273515

Email
[email protected]

Developing Experts

LessonsAboutResearchReportingPlans & Pricing

Legal

GDPRPrivacy PolicyTerms and ConditionsCookie Policy

Contact Us

Get in touchRequest SubscriptionChildren's CodeAbout UsCareers

Copyright 2025 Developing Experts, All rights reserved.