Evaluation of Mediation in Scotland

Evaluation of Mediation in Scotland

Background

Following the last SMN Academic Study Group meeting it was agreed that SMN should attempt to provide some resources on the evaluation of mediation, and also to collect some statistics on the scope and impact of mediation in Scotland at present.

All mediation services in Scotland are publicly funded - either as Family or Community Mediation Services - or operate in the Private Sector. However those mediation organisations and practitioners operating in the private sector generally agree that Public Sector organisations form a key part of their client groups. The current and anticipated public sector funding cuts therefore have a capacity to affect both types of mediation organisations and practitioners.

Now, more than ever, it is important to be able to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of mediation as a form of dispute resolution. It is the intention of the SMN that we should be able to produce a reasonably accurate picture of the scope and impact of mediation as a form of dispute resolution in Scotland by March 2011.

Survey Pilots

We are therefore proposing the following:-
• SMN pilots two Survey Monkey questionnaires - one focussing on the scope of mediation being undertaken by each organisation/individual; and the other would provide an evaluation form for mediators seeking to quantify the impact of their mediation on the organisations and individuals that use their services.

• Once 30 pilot responses have been received to each Survey Monkey - feedback on the survey will be sought from pilot participants and the Survey Monkeys amended as necessary;

What we are asking you to do
Can you support the piloting of these evaluation tools by:-

• Using the link below to go to the Mediation Practitioners Survey - and complete the questionnaire.

• Send an email with the survey link requesting that people who use your mediation service complete this questionnaire.

Links
• Mediation Practitioners Survey Web Link
Click here to take survey

• Mediation Service Users Survey Email Link
Click here to take survey

Thank you for helping us with this vital piece of work.

Margaret Lynch
Director of SMN

Download:

web Ad for Mediation Surveys.doc