Angelique Edkins
Family Mediator
I’m Angelique, founder of Heart of England Family Mediation, a qualified family mediator registered with the Family Mediation Council.
My background in psychology, combined with over 21 years’ experience working with children and families, underpins my approach to understanding relationships, communication, and the impact of conflict.
I offer structured, impartial mediation to support families experiencing conflict, change, or complexity, including situations where addiction, recovery, or kinship care arrangements may be a factor. I work with individuals, parents, and wider family members to facilitate constructive conversations and support families through periods of transition.
My approach is calm, balanced and respectful, creating a space where everyone feels heard and where practical, sustainable arrangements can be reached.
Alongside my mediation work, I bring extensive professional experience from senior leadership roles within education. My background includes safeguarding, Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and supporting families with multiple and complex needs. I have held roles such as Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Designated Teacher for Children in Care, Early Help Lead, and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo).
This experience enables me to manage sensitive discussions with care, maintain a clear focus on child welfare, and work effectively alongside other professionals where needed.
Growing up in a fostering family, and later serving as Vice Chair of a fostering panel, has also shaped my understanding of attachment, trauma, kinship care, and the wide range of family experiences that people may bring to mediation.
Dr. Catherine Frances
Professional practice consultant*
FMC Accredited Family Mediator 1569A, Child Inclusive Mediator, Integrated Mediation Practitioner
and Professional Practice Consultant.
Catherine gained an MA and PhD in international child abduction, models for co-parenting with associated law and psychology, and worked for the United Nations University in Japan before returning to the UK.
She is accredited by the Family Mediation Council to mediate all issues; property, finances and child arrangements
A Board Member of the Family Mediators Association, and has co-authored and contributed to books related to mediation.
Catherine regularly speaks to children as part of mediation (Child Inclusive), and is happy for solicitors to accompany clients, especially in complicated finance cases (Integrated Mediation) and mentors mediators working towards accreditation (Professional Practice Consultant).
*Every family mediator must have a Professional Practice Consultant (PPC), an experienced family mediator who acts as their mentor and supervisor.