Peer Mediation

Peer mediation takes place when school children and young people are trained to help other young people sort out their disagreements. These disputes can range from unkind behaviour to disagreements in the playground. Pupils who are trained to use mediation skills are called Peer Mediators.

Peer mediation involves two trained 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 faced and brought out into the open. Through acknowledgement and careful exploration comes shared understanding which usually leads to a negotiated, constructive, non-violent way of managing the conflict.

There are a number of resources produced by the Scottish Mediation Network for Peer Mediation, which can be accessed here. The peer mediation map of Scotland (below) illustrates all the primary and secondary schools that participate and have trained peer mediators.

If Peer Mediation takes place in your school and you would like your school to appear on the map of mediation, or if you would like your pupils to have the opportunity to join the Scottish Mediation Network or Register, please contact admin@scottishmediation.org.uk. Please note that Membership and Registration is free for individuals in full time education.

If you would like to learn more about Peer Mediation, or enquire about Peer Mediation Training, please contact admin@scottishmediation.org.uk or call 0131 56 1221.

Peer Mediation Map of Scotland

This map Peer Mediation Map of Scotland show all the schools across Scotland who have Peer Mediators. If you would like to add your school to the map, please contact admin@scottishmediation.org.uk

Peer Mediation Map of Scotland

Peer Mediation for Looked After Children and Young People

In 2011, the Scottish Mediation Network will be focussing on the provision of Peer Mediation Training to Looked After Children and Young People. This pioneering work has been recognised for its excellence, winning an award from the Scottish Institute of Residential Child Care and the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) Tony Curtis award.

The purpose of the Peer Mediation Training is to equip vulnerable Young People and those who care for them with a mutual understanding of conflict and conflict handling skills that effectively reduce challenging behaviour and enable Young People to better handle conflict.

Currently funding for this work is provided by The Robertson Trust and West Lothian Council.

Information for Schools

Peer Mediation is an excellent way of reducing conflict in the school environment, and can equip children with many new and useful skills. Schools across Scotland have benefitted from the provision of training to enable teams of peer mediators to be established.

The Scottish Mediation Network has a long standing history of excellence in Peer Mediation in Scotland and has developed a range of resources to be used in schools and support Peer Mediators. These resources are free to schools and can be found here. Within this section are case studies, good practice guidelines, training resources and extensive information.

Peer Mediation Trainers

To see a full list of Peer Mediation Trainers please follow this link

Training for Trainers

The Scottish Mediation Network can provide training for Peer Mediation Trainers.

Courses can be adapted to suit the need of the trainers, but would normally include the following content:

• Working in schools and within the school culture
• History and background of peer mediation in Scotland
• The place of peer mediation in a whole school approach to relationships
• Setting up peer mediation: consultancy and preparation
• Peer mediation models
• Training children and young people: guidelines, materials and golden rules
• Sustaining and maintaining peer mediation
• Monitoring and evaluation

Course Aims
To equip participants with the knowledge and skills to deliver peer mediation training
To build training capacity and to increase the number of peer mediation trainers in Scotland
To work towards the development of validation and standardisation of peer mediation practice and training

No previous experience of delivering peer mediation is required. Mediators who have some experience of peer mediation would also benefit from this course.

Please contact the Scottish Mediation Network if you require any further information by emailing admin@scottishmediation.org.uk or call 0131 556 1221.

Joining the Scottish Mediation Network

We offer free membership to individuals in full time education or on means tested benefits. Peer Mediators can also join the Scottish Mediation Register – please contact the office directly for applications for children.