Our Services

We offer a range of mediation and family support services for families navigating ageing, care, and family conflict.


Our work includes mediation, care coordination, family conferencing, and conflict coaching, supporting families to communicate more clearly and make decisions together.

Services are currently offered outside of usual business hours, and can be provided in person, via phone or video call.

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Support options designed to help families navigate ageing, care, and complex family decisions.

Four adults seated around a table in a calm, structured mediation conversation.

Elder mediation is a structured and confidential process that supports families to work through conflict related to ageing and care.

It provides a neutral space where family members can talk openly about concerns such as care arrangements, living options, health changes, and shared responsibilities, with the guidance of an independent mediator.

This service is for families who are experiencing tension, disagreement, or breakdowns in communication around decisions affecting an older person.

Through elder mediation, families can expect clearer communication, reduced conflict, and more constructive conversations.

The process helps families better understand each other’s perspectives, make informed and considered decisions, and move forward with greater clarity and shared understanding.

Importantly, the older person’s needs, wellbeing, and voice remain central throughout the process.

ELDER MEDIATION

Three adults seated at a table reviewing notes together in a calm, practical discussion.

Eldercaring coordination supports families to navigate the practical and relational challenges that often arise when care needs increase or change.

The service focuses on helping families organise care arrangements, clarify roles, and work through decisions that can feel overwhelming or difficult to manage alone.

This service is for families who are struggling to coordinate care, communicate effectively with one another, or work productively with care providers.

It can be particularly helpful when responsibilities are unclear, expectations differ, or tension is affecting relationships and decision-making.

Through eldercaring coordination, families can expect greater clarity, improved communication, and a more organised approach to care.

The process helps reduce confusion and stress, supports more cooperative relationships, and enables families to move forward with clearer plans that reflect the needs of the older person.

ELDERCARING COORDINATION

A family group conferencing meeting with a mediator and a couple seated at a table.

Family Group Conferencing is a facilitated meeting that brings together children, their family, extended relatives, and relevant support people to talk through concerns and plan next steps.

The focus is on creating a safe space where families can work together and keep the child’s wellbeing at the centre of decisions.

This service is suited to families facing complex or sensitive situations, including child protection concerns, where clear communication and shared planning are needed. The process is family-led, culturally respectful, and supported by a neutral facilitator who guides discussion without directing outcomes.

Through Family Group Conferencing, families can expect greater clarity, shared understanding, and a practical plan that reflects their own strengths and responsibilities. The outcome is a clear, agreed way forward that supports the child’s safety and helps reduce the need for external intervention.

FAMILY GROUP CONFERENCING

A mediator and an adult seated at a table during a one-to-one conflict coaching session.

Conflict coaching is a one-on-one process that supports individuals to better understand and manage conflict in their personal or professional relationships.

It provides a confidential space to explore challenges, reflect on what’s happening, and develop practical strategies for handling difficult situations more effectively.

This service is suited to people who feel stuck in ongoing conflict or who want support to prepare for challenging conversations.

Conflict coaching can be helpful in family situations, workplace disagreements, or periods of change where communication has broken down or tensions are high.

Through conflict coaching, individuals can expect increased confidence, clearer communication, and a better understanding of how to respond constructively in conflict.

CONFLICT COACHING

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HOW IT ALL WORKS

FREE initial contact discussion

The first step is simply getting in touch.

You can contact us by phone, email, or by booking a time through the link provided below.

This is not a commitment to mediation. It is a chance to explain what is happening, ask questions, and understand whether this service may be helpful for your family.

Allow approximately 15 minutes, at this stage, we talk about what decisions or concerns are causing tension, who is involved, and what you would like to change.

If mediation or family support is not appropriate, this will be discussed openly.

Pre-mediation appointment

Before any joint meeting takes place, individual pre-mediation appointments are held.

These are private, one-to-one conversations and can be conducted in person or by phone. The location is flexible and agreed based on what feels most appropriate and comfortable.

Each person has the opportunity to explain their perspective, raise concerns, and ask questions about the process. These meetings help assess whether mediation or family meetings are safe and appropriate to continue with, and clarify what needs to be discussed and who should be involved.

Note: If additional meetings are required following the initial pre-mediation appointment, the cost of additional meetings will be at a reduced rate. This will be discussed with you at the initial meeting.

Mediation / family meeting

If the process goes ahead, joint meetings are arranged at a time and place that feels comfortable for those involved.

Meetings are structured and facilitated so that everyone has the opportunity to speak and be heard.

The focus is on improving communication, addressing areas of conflict, and working through decisions together, particularly those affecting an older person or vulnerable family member.

The mediator does not take sides or make decisions. The role is to support respectful conversation and help the family work through issues in a clear and constructive way.

Family plan and agreements

When families reach shared understandings or agreements, these can be documented and provided to everyone involved.

These are informal agreements that reflect what the family has decided together.

Families can choose how they use these agreements and whether they wish to formalise them through a separate legal process.

GEMS is not involved in that formalisation.

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PRICES

Prices are subject to change. Full cost of services depends on services required.

Venue location & cost negotiable

Pre-mediation appointments

$150.00

1 family member

1 hour session

Note: If additional meetings are required following the initial pre-mediation appointment, the cost of additional meetings will be at a reduced rate. This will be discussed with you at the initial meeting.

Joint mediation / Elder co-ordination

$200.00

per hour

Family plans & agreement development

From

$100.00

for a basic plan, additional cost applies for complex plans

Conflict coaching

$100.00

per hour

Optional add-ons

Travel (>10km outside of Golden Grove)

$50.00 per hour

Translation services

price on enquiry

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Supporting families to communicate, make decisions, and move forward together.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Mediation can be helpful when there is conflict, tension, or ongoing disagreement about care, ageing, family roles, or important decisions, especially when conversations keep going in circles or have become strained or heated.

    It works best when people are willing to come to the table, speak honestly, and listen, even if they strongly disagree. Families do not need to get along, but they do need some willingness to engage in the process.

    Mediation may not be appropriate where someone feels unsafe, where there is ongoing abuse or intimidation, or where people are not able or willing to participate voluntarily. These issues are explored carefully during initial contact and pre-mediation appointments so that the process is only offered when it is safe and suitable.

  • Mediation and family meetings can help with a range of issues where families are struggling to communicate, make decisions, or manage conflict. This includes:

    • Major decisions about ageing and care
      For example, whether an older person can remain at home, when care needs are changing, or how decisions about residential care are made.

    • Day-to-day elder care arrangements
      Such as who is responsible for appointments, medications, home modifications, transport, visits, or ongoing support — especially when expectations are unclear or uneven.

    • Ongoing family conflict or breakdown in communication
      Where conversations regularly turn into arguments, people feel unheard, or tensions are affecting relationships and wellbeing.

    • Disputes involving separated families
      Including parenting arrangements, shared decision-making for children, or property and financial matters following separation, addressed through Family Dispute Resolution.

    • Situations where one or two people feel they are carrying most of the responsibility
      Or where family members disagree about roles, boundaries, or fairness.

    • Individual support through conflict coaching
      For people who want help managing difficult relationships, preparing for challenging conversations, or understanding their own role in ongoing conflict.

    And many other situations where families feel stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward.

  • Mediation and family meetings are voluntary. No one can be forced to participate.

    It is common for some family members to feel hesitant or resistant, especially where there has been conflict, poor communication, or trust issues. This can be talked through during initial contact or pre-mediation appointments, where concerns can be explored privately and questions answered.

    In some situations, mediation may still proceed with those who are willing to participate. In others, it may not be appropriate to continue unless key people choose to be involved. If mediation cannot go ahead, this will be discussed openly and honestly so families can consider other options.

  • All mediation and family support services are conducted confidentially and in line with professional mediation standards.

    We operate under the AMDRAS standards, which set clear requirements around confidentiality, impartiality, and ethical practice. This means the mediator remains neutral at all times and does not take sides, give advice, or make decisions for the family.

    Confidentiality and process boundaries are explained clearly at the beginning, so everyone understands what information is shared, how it is handled.

  • Mediation does not guarantee agreement or resolution of every issue.

    Mediation is a guided process that supports families to talk through areas of conflict or uncertainty in a structured and respectful way. The mediator helps people identify issues, explore options, and consider ways of moving forward together, but does not make decisions for the family.

    For some families, this process leads to practical agreements or plans about care, responsibilities, or next steps. For others, the outcome may be clearer understanding, improved communication, or reduced tension, even if not everything is resolved.

    Some situations can be worked through in a single meeting, while others may take more than one session, depending on the complexity of the issues and the needs of the family. The pace and number of sessions are guided by what is appropriate for your situation.

  • Who takes part depends on the situation and what is being discussed.

    Participants may include older people, adult children, adult grandchildren, carers, or others who are directly involved in care, decision-making, or ongoing family arrangements. In some cases, professionals or support people may also be involved where appropriate.

    Who should be included is discussed during initial contact and pre-mediation appointments, with care taken to ensure the process remains balanced, respectful, and focused on the older person or vulnerable family member

Contact us

If your family is navigating conflict around ageing or care, we’re here to help. Contact us to discuss next steps.