Mediating Custody Arrangements for Children: A Child-Focus Approach

Assessment Task Two: Case Study: John
Kylie and Ray are in the process of separating and have come to you to mediate arrangements
regarding custody for their two children. They have a son, John, who is 11, and a daughter
named Sylvia, who is 9 months old. Your role is to ensure a child-focus approach is integral
to the agreed arrangements.
It is clear to you from the initial meeting with Kylie and Ray that the separation has not left
them on good terms and they bicker in front of you on most issues.
John is starting high school next year and all of his friends are attending Sunnyside High,
which is close to his father’s house. His mother plans to move to the other side of the city
which is outside of the school zone. The rest of the family all live around his dad including
his mother’s parents and his maternal aunt. He gets along well with them and they appear to
be a stable factor in his life.
John plays football and soccer on the weekends with the local team and many of the boys in
his class. He is a skilled sportsman and has told his parents that this is a highlight of his week.
One thing that Kylie and Ray have agreed upon is that Sylvia should live with Kylie due to
her age and as Kylie is still breastfeeding her. Kylie believes that she should also have full
custody of John as Ray often travels for work and she believes that he has not developed a
very close relationship to the children. Ray is concerned about being cut out from his
children's lives and would prefer shared custody. Ray has indicated that he could change his
working arrangements to be in town more.
1. Part of your role is to identify and inform Kylie and Ray of what you believe to be
John’s key issues and needs. Considering John’s case, what would you say these might
be?
John requires to lead a normal life despite the separation of his parents. He needs parental
care.
He needs to continue with his studies with minimal distractions from his parents marital
issues. He is joining high school next which requires a prompt solution to the case.
He has got a talent that needs to be nurtured as well as motivated. He needs motivation
and support from his parents in the coming event.
2. Briefly outline the factors in John’s life that you would need to consider when
preparing an intervention plan.
His relationship with the parents as well as his relatives to assess the appropriate person to
live with.
Social connections that he already has to avoid isolation.

The family system strengths and weakness for his wellbeing.
The family conflict will provide insights to the appropriate caregiver for John
His education to ensure that the intervention prevents disruption of his studies
His plans and interests to prevent probable disappointments in life that may affect him
psychologically.
3. List three communication techniques that you may utilise with John’s parents in
discussing their children’s living and contact arrangements.
Speaking calmly, maintaining eye contact during discussions, smiling when it is
appropriate, maintaining a composed and open posture (Brower & Darrington, 2012).
When Kylie and Ray return for another mediation session you notice that their relationship
seems to have deteriorated further. They do not address each other directly but instead make
statements only to you about each other.
Kylie informs you that Ray has a new girlfriend who has been spending time with John and
Sylvia without Kylie’s prior knowledge. She also says that John has told her that the
girlfriend is rude and mean to him and that he no longer wishes to go to his father’s house.
Ray does not believe that John really said this and thinks Kylie is just looking for an excuse
to get full custody.
You decide that it would be best to engage a child-consultant as a child-inclusive approach
may be more effective in resolving their conflict.
1. What about the above situation indicates the need for a child-inclusive process?
In the above situation, both Ray and Kylie want custody of the kids. The reasons they
provide to support their stance might not reflect the true picture of the situation and captures
only their desires and not those of John.
Therefore, a child-inclusive mediation will bring into view the interests of John to
determine his appropriate custody.