We would like to introduce you to our mediation team who, with their individual skills and expertise, offer a knowledgeable and enthusiastic approach throughout the course of your involvement with the Service.

Joan Bishop – Practice Supervisor and Family Mediator

JP, MSc (Mediation Studies and Conflict Resolution), BA (Hons), PGCE Member of UK College of Family Mediators; Diploma and Certificate in Mediation Studies and Conflict Resolution.

Joan qualified as a secondary school teacher after graduating from University of Sheffield.  She taught both English and Mathematics.  She then became the business and development manager of a health service provider.  She remains as a consultant to this business.  In the 1970’s she developed a retail and manufacturing business employing 20 people where she was Managing Director.

Her mediation career began in 1999 in the area of community and family mediation.  She is accredited by the LSC to consult directly with children during their family’s mediation.  She has also worked as a conciliator for the Disability Concilliation Service.  Joan has 7 years experience on a foster panel and is the panel Vice-Chair at Banya Fostering Agency (Herne Hill, London).

Kate originally trained to be a Probation Officer but then changed to working with families as a Social Worker. 

She fitted in part-time work around bringing up her 3 children – first in CAMHS and then with a child protection team with Social Services.  Once her children were of school age, she again worked full-time with what is now CAFCASS and then in the 1990’s edited/desktop published magazines on family therapy and gardening. 

Kate trained as a Family Mediator in 1999.  She has an interest in workplace and inter-generational mediation.

Kathryn Lee – Family Mediator, Trainer/Workshop Presenter, Therapist

BS Education; MSc in Industrial Relations/Human Resources, Member of UK College of Family Mediators

Kathryn has worked as a Family Mediator for Kent Family Mediation since 1994 and currently co-presents the Parenting After Parting Workshops in partnership with Resolutions Family Solicitors.  She is a Relate trained couple therapist with 15 years experience. She has advanced training as a transactional Analyst.

Kathryn is accredited by the Legal Services Commission to consult directly with children and participates in ongoing professional training and development.

Simon Millard – Family Mediator

Memb FMC, Adv Dip Couns, Memb BACP, Memb BAAM

Simon has worked as a Family Mediator for Kent Family Mediation since 2005, and co-presents the Children First Parenting Workshops project offering support to parents and children following divorce or separation.  He also works as a school counsellor.

He is the founder of Kent Anger Management and Together in Communication CiC.  He is a mediator, counsellor, anger manager, therapist, coach and facilitator.  He also offers training in schools and organisations, providing workshops, seminars and presentations.

Paula Morvan – Family Mediator

Paula is a member of the UK College of Mediators and National Family Mediation (NFM).  She has an Advanced Diploma in Counselling.  Paula is also accredited by the Legal Services Commission to consult directly with children.

Paula has trained and worked as a Family Mediator for Kent Family Mediation since 2003.  She has also worked as a school counsellor for the past 8 years.  CAFCASS call upon her as a Consultant with regard to Court matters and she also undertakes parent coaching and counselling.  

Prior to the birth of her daughter in 1998, she worked in promotion and marketing.

Carol O’Meara – Family Mediator

Carol has trained and worked for Kent Family Mediation since the early 1990’s as a Family Mediator.  Photograph and further details to follow.

Brian Sherwood – Family Mediator

BA Hons English, Adv Dip Ed, RSA Cert in Counselling Skills in Education

Brian had a long career in education; he was a Head Teacher at a Special School for 11 years.  He has worked as an advocate for a local advocacy service for people experiencing mental health difficulties.  He has worked as a Family Mediator with the Service since 2000 and is accredited by the Legal Services Commission to consult directly with children and participates in ongoing professional training and development.