Peer Mediation in Scotland

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Peer Mediation in Scotland

• Carol Hope
• Mediation in
• Education Development Officer
• Scottish Mediation Network

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• Our aim is to put mediation into the
  mainstream as a widely available and clearly
  understood option for resolving disputes of all
  kinds in Scotland

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Peer MediationDevelopment Officer

• Family mediator and practice consultant.
• Children and young people worker.
• Additional Support for Learning Mediator.
• Disability mediator.
• Mediation trainer.
• Domestic abuse trainer and consultant.
• Peer mediation trainer.
• Supervised contact worker.

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What is mediation?

• Mediation is a problem-solving procedure
  it is about finding a solution that satisfies
  everyone. Both parties must have a desire to
  resolve the problem in hand. Mediators avoid
  taking sides, making judgments or giving
  guidance. The parties in dispute, rather than
  the mediators, decide how a dispute will be
  resolved. The mediator is responsible for
  developing effective communication and building
  consensus between the parties.
• Adapted from the SMN web
  site www.scottishmedi
  ation.org.uk

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What does Peer Mediation do?

• Peer mediation combines the concept of peer
  support with the process of mediation.

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Peer Support

• The range in Scottish schools includes
• Peer Tutoring (e.g. paired reading)
• Peer Education (e.g. drugs education)
• Buddying / Befriending
• Mentoring
• Peer Counselling

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So what is Peer Mediation?

• Peer Mediation involves two trained young
  mediators assisting pupils in conflict through a
  series of steps so that they can find their own
  way of resolving their problems.
• Difficulties and disagreement are discussed and
  brought out into the open. Through
  acknowledgement and exploration comes shared
  understanding which usually leads to a negotiated
  and constructive way of managing the conflict.
• From the SMNs
  Guidelines for Schools

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What are the potential benefits?

• Research indicates
• Typically a 75-85 success rate.
• Reduced incidence of conflict in playgrounds and
  classrooms.
• Personal development benefits for mediators.
• Increased staff time to deal with other
  priorities.

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Mediation as part of a peace building process.

• Developing life skills
• Communication
• Negotiating
• Managing conflict in a positive way
• Responsibility for own behaviour
• Empowerment
• Respect

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Mediation as part of a peace building process.
Peer Mediation in Schools
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Mediation as part of a peace building process.
Mediation in Families and Communities
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Mediation as part of a peace building process.
Mediation in Our Culture
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Mediation as part of a peace building process.
Mediation Local and National
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National and International Perspectives

• Established for over 30 years in a number of
  countries including USA, Canada, Australia, New
  Zealand and England.
• Examples in Scotland since 1996.
• Over 100 schools in Scotland now involved.

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Mediation as part of a peace building process.
Embedding mediation in all cultures over the
world.
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What Next?

• Making and maintaining links
• Share what is working (and what is not!)
• Keep in touch
• carol_at_scottishmediation.org.uk