Family Mediation Staffordshire | Desrine Edwards

Desrine Edwards is a qualified social worker, family mediator and a highly experienced children’s advocate, with over a decade of experience supporting children and families through change. She is passionate about helping families find clarity, connection and constructive solutions during times of change. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work, a PGCE in Lifelong Learning, and a BA (Hons) in Youth and Community Studies. She completed her family mediation training with LADR in July 2025 and is currently working towards full accreditation. Desrine is also a proficient Portuguese speaker.

From 2020 until late 2024, Desrine worked as a Family Court Adviser at Cafcass, gaining extensive experience in private law and children’s advocacy. Her decision to transition into family mediation was driven by a desire to empower families to make their own decisions and to use her skill set in a more collaborative and solution-focused way. Since 2022, Desrine has been working with the National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS), where she continues to represent children’s wishes and feelings in private law proceedings, under the rule 16.4 cases, where a child is made a party to proceedings.

Desrine’s practice is grounded in safeguarding and emotional wellbeing, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that children are heard in decisions that affect their lives. Her approach encourages families to reflect on how their relationships and communication patterns affect one another, helping them find constructive ways to move forward.

Drawing on her background in youth work, teaching, and social care, Desrine brings a holistic, child-focused approach to her mediation practice. She also develops resources to help families navigate transitions with empathy and clarity, believing that every child deserves to understand what is happening in their lives and to have a meaningful voice in shaping their future.