Training providers

The Scottish Mediation Network provides training courses, where experts are brought from across Scotland and beyond. There are also a number of training providers in Scotland. The Scottish Mediation Network do not advise or guide members of the public and mediators in their choice of training providers, but can provide the following factual information.

For those who wish to train to be a mediator and join the Scottish Mediation Register, they must ensure that their training satisfies the requirements of the Practice Standards. More information about the requirements for joining the Scottish Mediation Register can be found here.

There are also Practice Standards for Training Providers, and Guidance to support Training Providers in meeting the standards required.

Please find a list of Training Providers and the courses that they offer here.

Practice Standards for Training Providers

Practice Standards for Mediation Training Providers

(Approved by the Standards Board 25.05.11)

 

1. Mediation Training Providers

SMR Approved training providers will be listed on the SMN website, and can use the SMR logo on their website and marketing and publicity materials alongside the words “SMR Approved Mediation Training Provider”.   All trainers employed by or who deliver training on behalf of the SMR Approved Training Provider must meet the current practice standards for the SMR.

 

2. Mediation Competency Framework

A Mediation Competency Framework is being developed and will be signed off by the Standards Board. It will provide a framework for Mediation Training Providers to use in the assessment of trainees on their course.

 

3. Provide Certificates

Mediation Training Providers approved by the SMR are required to certificate mediation basic training and CPD. Once the Mediation Competency Framework is developed, certification of CPD will be tagged to the Mediator Competency Framework.

 

4. Accreditation

Where the training provided is described as “accredited” the form of accreditation and accrediting body should be made explicit to potential trainees.

 

5. Verification Process

ALL SMR Approved Training Providers should keep a portfolio which demonstrates that they meet the current practice standards for Mediation Training Providers. 10 – 15% of Mediation Training Providers will be selected at random each year by SMN and the portfolios will be requested for verification.

 

6. Appropriate Insurance

All SMR Approved Mediation Training Providers should have appropriate insurance and a complaints process.

 

 

 

 

Guidance on Practice Standards for Training Providers

Change in Practice Standards

Briefing note for mediation training providers

Following a review and consultation on practice standards for the Scottish Mediation Register, a comprehensive report and new Practice Standards have been produced. Both documents were approved by the Standards Board on 25^th May 2011. The new Practice Standards came into effect on 1^st June 2011.

There will be implications for training providers in Scotland both in the short and the long term. We aim to ensure that training providers stay informed of these changes, the details of changes and the timeframe for implementation can be found below.

Timescale

Some changes found in the Practice Standards will take effect immediately, while some changes will take affect over the next 12 months. In addition there are changes that will take time to develop and implement. We aim to ensure that practitioners stay informed on these changes.

Initial training requirement

“The mediation training will include not less than 40 hours of tuition and role-play, (with a minimum of 20 of these training hours spent in role play or practical exercise) including a formal assessment. The assessment should include direct observation of practice as a mediator in role play.”

The initial training requirement for admission to the register has been raised from 30 to 40 hours of training, maintaining the previous requirement that 50% of this time be spent in role play or practical exercise.

The majority of training providers already exceed this requirement for minimum training. Training providers who advertise that their training meets the requirements for admission onto the Scottish Mediation Register must ensure that their materials are amended to recognise this change.

Approval of trainers

Previously, the Scottish Mediation Network have provided information on some “badged” training providers. There will now be system of approval, as set out below:

““Approved Mediation Training Provider” status accorded to those training providers who can demonstrate the following:-

● All of their trainers meet with the current standard.

● The Mediation Competency Framework is used in the assessment of trainees on their courses.

● They certificate mediation basic training and CPD in accordance with the Mediation Competency Framework and CPD requirements. (Competencies strengthened are tagged to the Mediator Competency Framework and number of CPD hours are listed for each course provided).

● The form of accreditation and accrediting body should be made explicit to potential trainees.

This will only take effect once a Competency Framework has been established and approved by the Standards Board. The Scottish Mediation Network will not actively identify training providers that meet this standard. Applications to become an Approved Mediation Training Provider will not be accepted until the Competency Framework is in place, and will operate on a rolling basis. It is anticipated that the process will take longer than that for membership or registration, to allow verification to take place. Training providers may continue to join the network with organisational membership.

Learning and Development Plans and a Competency Framework

“Each mediator should be required to produce an annual Learning and Development Plan which is tagged to the Mediators Competency Framework; and CPD hours must be linked explicitly to the learning and development outcomes in the Learning and Development Plan and to Competencies within the Mediators Competency Framework.”

The Standards Board have authorised the establishment of a short life working group to develop a Mediator Competency Framework. Following development and approval by the Standards Board, the Competency Framework will be used to link to an Annual Learning and Development Plans, which will seek and cover the individual needs of each mediator.

CPD

The number of CPD hours for admission to the Register remains at 12 hours. However, where training providers are or are preparing to submit applications for Approved Mediation Training Providers, there are some changes to the way in which certificates should be issued.

“Training Providers who are approved by the Scottish Mediation Network must signal which competencies are being strengthened by CPD training and the number of CPD hours attached. Training Providers will provide a CPD statement/certificate to mediators completing the CPD training.  These statements/certificates can be used to evidence that CPD requirements are being met by Register Members.”

While many training providers may include in their adverts for training and CPD the competencies the training will seek to develop, any certificate or statement of training must explicitly state the number of hours and the competencies developed. Although the competency framework is yet to be developed and implemented, Training Providers are encouraged to begin attributing competencies to their certificates. Training providers may choose not to follow this requirement; however this will prevent such organisations from being an Approved Mediation Training Provider by the Scottish Mediation Network.

Family and Community Mediation Training

Following the establishment of partnership agreements with Relationships Scotland and the Scottish Community Mediation Network, the responsibility for setting practice standards (including initial training) for community and family mediators are deferred to the respective organisations. This change will not affect training that does not cover family or community and neighbour mediation. Please contact the respective organisations if you should require any information about their practice standards.

The review and new Practice Standards also has implications for mediation practitioners; a separate advice note has been produced to accompany this document. Training providers are advised to read the briefing note for practitioners to ensure that they are fully informed on the developments taking place.