Lawyer Monthly - August 2023

of websites across these islands will display many various training programmes approved by accreditation/membership bodies. Here in Northern Ireland, with our small population of 1.9 million, Family Mediation NI is the only organisation specialising in the training of family mediators and in the provision of a quality family mediation service across the country. We deliver the flagship programme Family Mediator Foundation Training Programme annually. This is a 12-day, six-module, three-stage process that is accessed via application with criteria for entry meeting the conditions of approval as per the College of Mediators criteria. Successful completion of the programme is the first step in the process. A ‘Certificate of Completion’ may be issued, followed with the requirement to complete at least 10 hours’ supervised practice within one year of beginning the training. On successful completion of this, a ‘Readiness to Practice’ certificate families to be their own well-informed, future-focused decision makers. Mediators may understand the theory, but training must ensure that they can manage sessions that are underpinned by the principles of mediation. Training also needs to be clear on how to respond appropriately to any safeguarding or criminal allegations and concerns. In child-focused mediation, bringing that focus to the parents and raising awareness of information to help parents reach a place where they can make suggestions to one another, generating options for negotiation, in the best interests of their children. What kinds of family mediation training exist, and what is the process involved in them? Clearly, a glance at the variety THOUGHT LEADER 67 Mediators may understand the theory, but training must ensure that they can manage sessions that are underpinned by the principles of mediation.

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