Solutions Together UK are a partnership of Children and Family Practitioners working towards empowering schools and young people to reach successful outcomes. One of the services we offer is training in Peer Mediation. The scheme is well recognised and working well in 25 Bracknell-Forest primary schools, 1 Surrey primary school and we have trained similar schemes in 2 Bracknell Forest Secondary Schools.

The basic principles of empowering pupils to take responsibility for their own behaviour and to foster reconciliation rather than confrontation underpin all we do as a Behaviour Management Consultancy. We also work using a solution focussed approach aiming at win/win solutions. All this fits well with Peer Mediation. There are two important elements to the scheme.

Firstly mediation - when two individuals who are in dispute work towards a solution that both find satisfactory. They are assisted in this by two mediators. There are no winners or losers and no blame is apportioned. During training pupils do a lot of work on differences and understanding the various perspectives of a situation.

Secondly this mediation is done with pupils by their Peers – and Peers they have nominated. We have been very impressed by how skilled young people are at choosing sensitive, imaginative and reliable mediators – sometimes surprising the adults who wouldn’t have chosen them! The training is intensive. The training is usually completed in six two hour sessions, focusing on listening skills, communication, cooperation and conflict resolution. The rules of confidentiality and impartiality must be observed by all participants. Both parents and teachers of mediators have commented on the tremendous personal growth that often results. On completion of training pupils are somewhere between competent and excellent mediators, with experience this continues to improve.

The planning is detailed. In order for this to be a success the school must believe that children and young people have a voice in their school and are able to make good decisions. The children must have a sense of responsibility for what happens in their playground. All schools should have a successful School Council and use Circle Time regularly. This way we are building on a school culture that already exists. Peer Mediation isn’t a bolt on extra – it needs to fit with a school’s philosophy. We suggest consultation with the whole school community, pupils, all staff, governors and parents. Peer Mediation may not be right for every school. It isn’t the way to resolve all disputes; however it certainly can help with some of the more difficult problems that crop up again and again. If you would like some more information on Peer Mediation then please contact:sarah@solutions-together.co.uk or Click Contact Us