Case Study: Child-Focused Mediation in John, Kylie, & Ray Custody Case

This case study delves into the mediation process between John, Kylie, and Ray concerning the custody arrangements for their two children, John and Sylvia. The mediator's role is to ensure a child-focused approach, addressing John's needs regarding schooling, social connections, and parental support, especially given the parents' strained relationship. The case highlights the importance of considering John's perspectives and feelings, particularly concerning his parents' conflict and the involvement of a new partner. The solution emphasizes communication techniques, the engagement of a child consultant to facilitate a child-inclusive process, and strategies to resolve the issue of parents using their child as a messenger. The ultimate goal is to create a stable and supportive environment for John, minimizing the negative impact of his parents' separation on his well-being and development.

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.

2. Explain the following, as you would explain them to Kylie and Ray:
a. The usefulness or appropriateness of engaging John in the proceedings at this
time.
I understand your desires and good intentions for John but he also has interests that
we might overlook for we haven’t heard from him. We need to take care of his interest too
which requires us to get this information from him.
b. What the role of a child consultant will be in this scenario, and how it will differ
from your own.
The child consultant takes sessions with the children to comprehend and bring into
perspective the interests of the kid. The child consultant carries a series of sessions with the
children to provide feedback that will help the parents reach a decision that will be at the
interest of the children. Such a role differs from that of the social worker whose role is to find
the appropriate custody of the children while integrating the child consultancy data.
3. Who will you need to obtain consent from in this situation, before securing the services
of a child consultant? Explain how you will go about obtaining this consent.
Before child consultancy services both parents are to give their opinions on the idea of
consultancy. They have to understand why child inclusive program is important hence the
need for a child consultant. Ones they agree to the idea, I will provide suggestions of a
certified child consultant. If they conquer with my choice I will proceed with the process of
acquiring the consultant. In case they prefer someone else then I will have to consult my
institution about it before proceeding with the invitation.
3. Give three examples of sources of information that you might use in order to find and
engage an appropriate child consultancy service in your area. (Bear in mind that the
ways in which outside services are obtained will depend to some extent on your
organisation’s policies and procedures).
Consulting my department of any consultant they have worked with before or one that
they can recommend.
Consulting other social workers of any consultant that they are aware of or worked with
before.
Searching over the internet to find one with qualifications and experience appropriate to
the case

4. In an initial meeting with a child consultant, you will need to communicate the child's
needs and methods of integrating these into the work process.
Briefly dot-point specific things that you will discuss with the child consultant
regarding John’s needs and best interests.
John’s parenting which is at stake for he requires appropriate parenting
His education for the needs to join high school next year with his friends too.
He is interested in continuing with playing for his local club to nurture and improve his talent
He has formed connections with his friends form his community something to help him
lessen the psychological effect of the separation.
You receive a report from the child consultant that details John's needs and feelings in
regards to his parents' separation. In this report, the consultant notes that John confided that
his parents are continually arguing and no longer talking to each other. They are now sending
messages to each other through him. John stated that he feels very uncomfortable being put in
this position as he loves his parents and does not want to hurt either of them.
1. Outline how you would work with John’s parents to resolve this issue and get a good
outcome for John.
I will explain the situation Kylie and Ray are subjecting their son into and how it is too
much for him to handle. Unlike them that are mature, their son is still young to be brought
into marriage issue and parental disagreements. The parents have to understand that the
wellbeing and future life of their son is at stake for such situations can impact negatively on
his development. For example, his studies and performance in the local team may decline.
Due to psychological impacts, his health may deteriorate therefore for the love and care they
have for their children they have to handle their issues separately and in a proper way far
from their children.

References
Brower, N., & Darrington, J. (2012). Effective communication skills: resolving conflicts.