MEDIATION AND CARE & CONTACT

MEDIATION AND CARE AND CONTACT

FRAMEWORK OF CONTENT

OVERVIEW:

Care and contact refers to the legal rights and responsibilities of parents or caregivers for their children. it includes the physical, emotional, and psychological care of the child, as well as the right to communicate and visit with them. 

It is determined by various legal and professional considerations. If parents cannot agree on care and contact arrangements, they can apply to court and mediation can be advisable.

Mediation is a valuable tool in resolving care and contact disputes, encouraging parents to focus on the child's best interests and reach mutually acceptable agreements, often a more cost-effective and less adversarial approach than court proceedings. 

Here's a more detailed explanation of how mediation works in the context of care and contact:

·      Mediation helps parents prioritize the needs and well-being of their child when determining care and contact arrangements. 

·      It offers a less adversarial and more cost-effective way to resolve disputes compared to going to court. 

·      Mediation helps parents improve communication and understanding, fostering a more cooperative co-parenting relationship. 

·      Mediation allows for flexible and personalized care and contact arrangements that suit the specific needs of the child and family. 

·     Mediation can lead to the creation of a comprehensive parenting plan that outlines all aspects of the child's care and contact, ensuring a structured and consistent approach. 

WEBINAR OBJECTIVES:

·      To familiarize attendees with the definitions of certain terms in order to gain a better understanding regarding mediation and care & contact.

·      To obtain knowledge regarding the relevant Sections of the Children’s Act, Act 38 of 2005 as amended applicable to mediation and care & contact.

·      To elaborate on modules of mediations, when it should take place and when it is not desirable.