Finding a mediation training provider is easy, finding a good mediation training provider requires some insight.
The mediation training market place is complex and confusing with many seemingly credible claims and promises. We have spoken with many who can give a different view on those claims and promises.
We are the largest re-trainer of mediators and mediation services in the UK and offer the insight and market intelligence to help inform your choices. We are a principled and ethical provider and are keen for you to make the best choice for your area of interest. We regularly point people to competitors and other providers if their model or course fits best with your career or area of interest.
- Choosing a workplace mediation training provider
- Choosing a family mediation training provider (Separation under the Family Law Act)
- Choosing a family conflict mediation training provider (Parents, couples, parent to child, sibling and extended family)
- Choosing a civil & commercial mediation training provider
- Choosing a neighbour and community mediation training provider
- Choosing a SEND mediation training provider.
Traditionally most mediation courses were 6 days, particularly for workplace and community. Family Mediation training for divorce is longer again. Civil & Commercial has always been 5 days as originally it was felt that the legal experience most brought to the course was contributory. In those early days you were expected to have knowledge of Tort. This is not the case now. There are a number of successful non-lawyer civil & commercial mediators.
New entrants to the workplace mediation marketplace now offer 5 day courses as do civil & commercial training providers who claim their course covers you for all mediation sectors.
Be wary of any course that has 3-4 days input and 1-2 days role play at the end. Unlearning is the central dynamic in mediation, and if you role play only one case at the end of the course, you are only just beginning the dynamic of unlearning. Ideally you should role play at least 3 full cases on a mediation course, including individual sessions and joint sessions.
Choosing a workplace mediation training provider
There are very few specialist workplace mediation training providers. On the surface there are many similarities however the models and approach can be quite different. Some models fit better with particular organisational cultures. Contact us for advice and recommendations. Training workplace mediators can be a significant investment that can recoup its value many times over, or it can be an expensive exercise that needs to be repeated three years later. We bring the insight and expertise that comes from 20 years experience in training and setting up workplace mediation services. Workplace mediation benefits most from a model of training grounded in conflict resolution and on-going working relationships.
Choosing a family mediation training provider (Separation under the Family Law Act)
The Family Mediation Council and the College of Mediators list recognised training providers. This sector operates close to the law in situations where relationships are ending. Please note that family mediation training is a dispute resolution process and is not intended to resolve relationship conflict. The training focuses on resolving disputed elements and material factors such as property, pensions, finances, and contact arrangements for children. This is very different from the informal, on-going relationships of family conflict settings where a conflict resolution approach is needed.
Choosing a family conflict mediation training provider (Parents, couples, parent to child, sibling and extended family)
There are very few training providers who specialise in this area. This is a very different area from separation and divorce mediation and the skill set, value base and approach are strongly different. Family conflict mediation training benefits most from a model of training grounded in conflict resolution and on-going relationships. Get in touch for advice and information.
Choosing a civil & commercial mediation training provider
The Civil Mediation Council lists relevant training providers. This sector suffers the most from believing that its model is relevant to other mediation sectors. This sector operates closest to the law in situations where relationships are ending. This is very different from the informal, on-going relationships of the workplace, community and family conflict settings. The most consistent complaints we receive are where lawyer mediators have operated in workplace or community contexts. This is not to say that a good service can be provided, it is more about the scope and quality of the outcome. Civil & commercial mediators are trained in dispute settlement, this is different from dispute resolution and significantly different from conflict resolution. Despite claims of win-win outcomes and facilitative mediation, any dispute settlement process rests on compromise and bargaining. These are not facilitative mediation strategies and do not equate to win-win outcomes. Many commercial mediators simply do not understand these terms accurately.
Choosing a neighbour and community mediation training provider
There are many local providers and the sector is variable in terms of quality, service standards and costs. There are some excellent services providing great training and other courses which are very basic. We can provide an overview of the range of options and costs. Neighbour mediation training benefits most from a model of training grounded in conflict resolution and on-going community relationships.
Choosing a SEND mediation training provider
The Department of Education has recently conducted a standards setting exercise which provides guidelines on training, levels of case work, CPD and supervision requirements. See the College of Mediators for the standards.