Joan Davis is the Executive Director of Family Mediation NI and she speaks to us about the training family mediators in the UK should receive.
What is the basis of family mediation? What are the differences between these and other forms of conflict resolution or mediation?
There are several models of mediation. Family mediators use the facilitative mediation model, which is future-focused. The key to a successful mediation is confidentiality (with some caveats regarding adult protection, child safety, and criminal activity). Also, voluntary participation is important, as the decision-making authority lies with the family members participating in the process. Mediators are neutral and non-judgemental.
What principles guide the training of mediators for families?
Our approved training program is based on the principles listed above. They support a nonjudgmental process, an ability to demonstrate neutral practice, and empower and support families to remain their own decision-makers. It is important that a mediator not only be able to understand the principles, but also ensure a balance of power in the room. Participants should feel respected and autonomous.
While there is much theory to learn, such as communication theory and power dynamics in mediation training, it’s important to role-play and work with accredited mediators in order to provide a service that helps families make informed decisions that are future-focused. Although mediators may be familiar with the theory of mediation, they must also receive training to ensure that their sessions are based on the principles.
The training should also be clear about how to respond to allegations or concerns regarding criminality, safeguarding, and other issues. In a child-focused mediator, it is important to bring that focus and raise awareness to parents so they can reach a point where they are able to make suggestions, generate options for negotiations, in the best interest of their children.
Mediators may have a good understanding of the theory but they need to be trained so that they can run sessions that adhere to the principles.
What are the different types of training in family mediation and what process is involved?
Clearly, a glance at the variety of websites across these islands will display many various training programmes approved by accreditation/membership bodies. Family Mediation NI, with a population of 1.9 millions in Northern Ireland is the only organization that specializes in training family mediators, and providing a high-quality family mediation service throughout the country.
The flagship program, Family Mediator Foundation Training Programme, is delivered annually. It is a three-stage, 12-day process with six modules and is accessible via an application that meets the College of Mediators criteria. The first step is to successfully complete the programme. The first step is to successfully complete the programme. After completing the course successfully, a certificate of ‘Readiness to Practice” may be awarded. The trainee can then work on building a case portfolio to be submitted to the College of Mediators UK.
Mediators Institute Ireland has a unique accreditation process. Our family mediators are able to benefit from the fact that they can be accredited in both UK and Ireland jurisdictions (EU). We also offer a 32 hour family mediator programme to those who have completed a recognised mediation programme.
What are the family mediation accreditations recognized in Ireland and UK?
Mediators Institute Ireland is Ireland’s accreditation body. In the UK there are a number of accrediting agencies, including the Family Mediation Council E&W (and Relationship Scotland). We have a bespoke system of accreditation in NI, which was developed with the UK College of Mediators. (A Member of FMC) as service provision and funding are different from GB. We are seeking to renew the training approval we have with MII. In terms of our neighbors across the border, the Mediation Act 2017, which was passed in 2017, now provides a professional service that is fully funded by Legal Aid Board throughout the Republic of Ireland.
What are the skills and talents that make a good family mediator?
The following are key skills:
- Ability to be non-judgemental and present, as well as to provide clients with a mediation framework that responds to the client’s agenda and pace.
- Listening and asking good questions that maintain clarity for participants and acknowledge their process.
- Confidence when reflecting back on clients and the power of silence.
- Communication skills are excellent, as is life experience, empathy and optimism. The ability to translate theory into practice and a commitment to learning and reflection throughout life.
- It is then the responsibility of the client to continue the momentum and effect change in their lives.
Why is mediation training important for family conflict resolution?
Each family is unique. To protect the welfare of families when separations are poorly handled, a specialized training is required in areas such as legal requirements and adverse childhood experiences. Parents can get stuck in bitter end-of relationship issues for many reasons. It is important to be able to recognize and support them to move on and develop a cooperative parenting relationship.
It is important that mediators are able to do this at the right time, because asking parents to listen to each other and make informed decisions can be harmful if they’re not willing to or unable to work together on a common agenda. This requires that you not only be able to talk the walk, but also develop a good relationship with the other parent to support co-parenting.
Our motto is ‘Do No Harm’, which is why the assessment process at the Individual Information and Assessment Meeting (IAM) for suitability to our model is vital. All mediators must be competent and confident in their assessment. Regular supervision is provided four times a year, and on an ad-hoc basis as needed. This is regarded as a vital part of the training. We can only achieve the best outcomes for families and children when we work with the right clients, at the right time.
Joan Davis is Executive Director
Family Mediation NI Rights House, 127 – 131 Ormeau Road Belfast, Northern Ireland BT7 1SH
Tel: +44 02890 243265
Twitter: @FamMediation_NI
Facebook: Family Mediaiton
Joan Davis has led FMNI in the role of Executive Director since 2009. She has a degree in Political Science from QUB and has worked both in the private and voluntary sectors. She is passionate about the services offered by the third/voluntary sector. She is a strong advocate of early intervention services, which can reduce the adverse experiences children have during childhood and save public funds by preventing the long-term challenges that many children face due to long-term acrimonious separations between parents.
FMNI is a registered charity with the Charity Commission NI. It is the leading provider of confidential, impartial and non-judgmental family mediation. This service is available in venues across NI as well as on the internet. Since 2009, the Dept of Health has funded separated parents mediation under a contract. The College of Mediators in the UK has approved a bespoke training programme for family mediators. It is the leading trainer of family mediators in Northern Ireland. FMNI’s 20 sessional mediators and its other specialists are able provide expertise in child inclusive mediation, wider family mediation, elder mediation, and finance mediation.