Kent Family Mediation Service - Sittingbourne

Coached B. M.

Whilst the meetings were helpful, the actual organisation of everything was awful and added additional stress to an already stressful situation.
It was very difficult to talk to anyone over the phone, muddled emails from different addresses and no communication seemed to be passed between the team.
There is a voucher system in place, but again, communication on what was required and what had already been given was really muddled. It is a good service to provide, but it isn't a free service so the care and attention should be much better.

Linda C.

Mediator was very approachable. Explained things in detail. An agreement reached in 2 zoom meetings.

Kayleigh W.

Absolutely a shocking charity!!! Tried to side with a dad who decided to use his child as emotional blackmail! Takes 3/5 business days to even get a reply never mind getting an appointment. Do not even engage with these people also be taking my complaint as high as I can as these just abuse the system

Kim S.

OH. MY. GOD. The worst service ever. Receptionist was awful. Talking over me, not listening, hard-selling the mediation process, using scare-tactics to try to prevent me from taking the next steps and going the solicitor route despite it being best for my situation. Never felt more attacked. Honestly avoid at all costs.

Alexandra L.

I couldn’t believe it! Shocking. Totally unprofessional. I was called by Kent Family Mediation to arrange an appointment for a MIAM. I had paid £95 for this and they pestered me for payment too.

I have no availability before 4.15pm weekdays due to my work commitments and contract restrictions. This female employee told me that there was no mediation available at 4.15pm at all. That is not late; 4.15 - 5.30/6pm is still the working day. Don’t these mediators work normal hours?

She even tried to get me to mediate during my half hour lunch break! I work in a school which she knew, so that was a completely inappropriate suggestion. I work with teenagers and staff- how could attend divorce mediation in a school environment?!

Instead of trying to work out a solution or direct me to another service, this extremely rude employee patronisingly informed me that I would find it hard to get legal aid elsewhere, implied I was lying about my employer, blamed me and said that I would be marked down as having refused mediation!

That is not true! Almost liable! It’s not my fault the company cannot be flexible for an after 4pm appointment. I had paid.

She really upset me- I was stressed for the rest of the day. This woman continually argued and talked over me - even telling me what I should say in court! Clearly lacking in empathy and poorly trained.

What a disgraceful service. Just avoid like the plague. If that’s the standard of their front of house, heaven help anyone receiving mediation! Especially so at very difficult times in peoples’ lives. Go elsewhere.

chris L.

Early stages but so far I can agree with the comments in the review receptionist was so rude and constantly spoke over me. I was harassed constantly for payment after explaining I had nothing to give until payday. After the mother of my children withdrew access for my eldest birthday I rang Kent mediation for advice granted I was upset and irritated and this may have come across negatively but to be told quit while im ahead is unacceptable I think This whole process so far has been horrendous and I am dreading the future I was told I wouldn’t have to see the mother of the children but that soon changed after I paid so sold a false promise. I will update this review as the process goes along but so far I am disgusted and very fearful of the future I feel this is a biased service if my opinion changes and it is as as described I will change this review. The receptionists skills need to be reviewed she constantly spoke over the top of me I’ve read the other comments and this is a recurring topic yes I was emotional this is about my kids but I would have thought they would have and demonstrate the necessary skills to be capable of dealing with this kind of situation not hanging up the phone several times or telling me to quit while I’m ahead! Further update a week after this review was left they cancelled my 1st MIAM meeting which will result in the mother of my children being able to take me to court and put a court order in place so I will continue to be messed around with access to my children. So thanks a lot Kent family mediation this service was absolutely terrible one sided and a absolutely horrendous receptionist who has caused this whole thing by being considerably rude constantly talking over the top of me had no time to hear my situation just wanted money every other day end was also told to quit while I was ahead shocking service avoid at all costs dads this service was so poor and made throngs so much worse

My W.

Horrible horrible ghastly people. You should be ashamed of yourselves and your conduct. Firing ALL of you and finding decent replacements would be a good thing!
Please, anyone considering using them, please don’t. Don’t give them your financial details or phone numbers.
I can see why there are so MANY negative reviews!
People are right - the woman on reception is a rude dragon. Shame on you all. I do t know how you sleep at night.

ZebNR

Avoid at all costs!! Absolutely diabolical. Couldn't answer simple questions and have very obviously no experience in dealing with complex issues. Apparently they only have 9 days training. I have 6 years psychology and a clear appreciation of peoples skill set when working with interpersonal relationships. It was very obvious from the start that our mediator lacked any people skills. She could not articulate confidently. The worst of it was that she blamed my husband and I for not having confidence in her services and refused to go on saying that as we thought it wouldn't work that it hadn't.
Facilities were also aweful. In a crime and drug ridden neibourhood community centre at the heart of social deprivation. Where the teenagers that hang around outside are swearing and under age smoking. Not an area I would usually visit.
I can't express enough what an aweful service this is!!!