Professional Workplace Mediation Skills Course

Entry Requirements

This course is only open to HR Professionals (CIPD Diploma or equivalent experience), qualified welfare officers, EAP Counsellors, CEAPs, or those who hold another relevant qualification in psychology, HR, counselling or conflict studies. Participants must also have a minimum of three years experience in a professional role (HR, EAP, etc). It is expected that participants already have well developed communication skills. Those with existing ‘certificate level’ training in mediation (community, family) are also welcome to apply.

The course is suitable for:

• Human Resource Managers

• EAP Counsellors & Consultants

• Welfare Officers

• Psychologists & Psychotherapists

• Occupational Health Professionals

Why Have Entry Restrictions?

There are many courses available for non-professionals and volunteer mediators. This course is specifically about workplace mediation and is for those professionals who wish to upgrade their existing skills to conduct workplace mediation either internally in their organisation or as professional external workplace mediators.

With over twenty years experience conducting mediation training in Australia and the UK we have found that the above entry requirement ensures participants have the basic skills required for mediation and are professionally compatible within the context of the interactive type of training and coaching we offer. If you feel you don’t qualify for entry due to your credentials – but would like to be considered, please contact us to have a confidential discussion about your eligibility.

Your Investment

Please see the current flyer. The fee includes a comprehensive training manual, your text book, all lunches and refreshment breaks. The training comprises seven sessions, each lasting seven hours, with a substantial break between session three and four.

Why ScotCoach?

We have extensive international experience in the provision of specialised mediation and conflict services to the private and government sectors. We are based in Scotland and operate throughout Europe.

We have over 20 years experience providing mediation training and are regarded as one of the leading mediation training providers in the UK. We offer value for money and practical skills-based training. Our training was created for a workplace setting and the subjects of the cases used are drawn from actual work-life scenarios. more information on ScotCoach

Accreditation

Participants will receive the ScotCoach Certificate of Completion - Professional Workplace Mediation Skills. This course is also eligible for 42 professional development hours (PDHs) through the International Employee Assistance Certification Commission (EACC) on application.

At the present time there is no independent professional mediation association or organisation accrediting, licensing or certifying workplace mediators in the UK. As such there is no recognised standard training for mediators and no system of regulation (Scotsman, 10 April, 2007 external link). The Scottish Mediation Network external link (SMN) have a register of mediators, both for individual mediators and trainers.

In the Republic of Ireland the MII does offer a good accreditation process. We have accredited our 7-Day course through the MII in association with EPA (ROI).

The ScotCoach course does meet the requirements as previously set by the now closed body Mediation UK; it also meets international standards for professional mediation training. As the ScotCoach course has entry restrictions, you can be assured that your fellow participants will already be certified/qualified professionals looking to add workplace mediation skills to their existing professional base.

This course utilises, with permission, materials from the Conflict Resolution Network (Australia); the Mediation@MIT programme from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the programme on mediation and negotiation at the Harvard Law School.

Assessment Module (optional):

For those wishing to gain ScotCoach Certification as workplace mediators we offer an optional one day competency assessment module only available to those who have completed the six days of skills training. This module is conducted in small groups (max 4 participants) and involves video review. Participants are also required to complete written assessments.

On successful completion of the assessment participants receive the ScotCoach Certificate In Workplace Mediation. The fee for the optional one day assessment module is £490 (plus VAT). This includes a personalised feedback report, review of written assessment and conduct of final assessment session.

Comments from Recent Participants

These are actual comments from mediation training courses ScotCoach (or our sister organisation Eastburn Partnership) have conducted in the past year:

•  …one of the best training programmes I have ever attended!

• I can’t believe how much I learnt. As a qualified Psychologist I though I knew it all, this course truly expanded my professional practice into uncharted waters

• …the trainers were excellent and the individual coaching fantastic

• This course will make me a better HR Manager, I have new skills I can use every day in dealing with managers and my internal clients

Course Overview

The mediation model in this training programme normally utilises two co-mediators and is somewhere between problem-solving and transformative in its approach.
 
The teaching style is highly experiential. The best way to learn to mediate is by doing it. Accordingly, participants will spend approximately 40% of their time in role plays with a strong focus on peer coaching, and lectures are mixed with exercises.

DAY 1: INTRODUCTION TO MEDIATION THEORY & PRACTICE
The workplace mediation process
Issues Suitable For Mediation
The Mediator’s role
How mediation differs from other interventions
Limitations of the role - What do you bring to the room?

DAY 2: UNDERSTANDING CONFLICT
Introducing conflict theory
Thomas-Killman Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI)
Conflict Handling Modes
Elements of Negotiation
Introduction to Reframing Techniques

DAY 3: ELEMENTS OF WORKPLACE MEDIATION
The 7-step ‘ScotCoach’ framework for effective mediation
Caucusing Role Plays
Mediation Role Plays
Impartiality

BREAK

DAY 4: EFFECTIVENESS OF WORKPLACE MEDIATION
Joint or Co-Mediation
Mediators at Work: Termination Tempest
Icebergs and elephants
Extensive Co-Mediation Role Plays

DAY 5: KEY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
Extended role-plays debriefing
Blockages – moving disputants forward
Skill development – caucusing
Coaching

DAY 6: KEY SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CONTINUED
Extended role-plays
Skill development – bullying & harassment
Coaching

DAY 7: AGREEMENTS AND ETHICS
Reaching and formalising agreements
Agreements Role Plays
Follow-Up
Ethical framework for practice
Ongoing professional development

NB: The above programme is subject to change