The FMC has published an amended Code of Practice.
The amendments are as follows:
· the introduction of a pre-amble, which sets out that the FMC may publish Practice Directions, which will have the same standing as the Code of Practice, and which will be issued in order to having to avoid issuing a revised version of the entire Code every time that a change needs to be made;
· the removal of the requirement for mediators carrying out Direct Consultation with Children or Child Inclusive Mediation to have a DBS check, which reflects the policy change announced last autumn on the basis that the FMC has concluded that it cannot, at present, require a mediator to have a DBS check to work as a child inclusive mediator; and
· to apply certain provisions of the code to both assessment meetings and mediation, rather than just mediation.