Peer Mediation

in Scotland
Carol Hope
Mediation in
Education Development Officer
Scottish Mediation Network

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

Scottish Charity Number SC034921 Company Registered in Scotland SC258173 Registered Office: 18 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EP
 Our aim is to put mediation into the
mainstream as a widely available and
clearly understood option for resolving
disputes of all kinds in Scotland

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 Peer Mediation
Development Officer
• Family mediator and practice consultant.
• Children and young people worker.
• Additional Support for Learning Mediator.
• Disability mediator.
• Mediation trainer.
• Domestic abuse trainer and consultant.
• Peer mediation trainer.
• Supervised contact worker.

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 What is mediation?

Mediation is a problem-solving procedure … it is about

finding a solution that satisfies everyone. Both parties
must have a desire to resolve the problem in hand.
Mediators avoid taking sides, making judgments or
giving guidance. The parties in dispute, rather than
the mediators, decide how a dispute will be resolved.
The mediator is responsible for developing effective
communication and building consensus between the
parties.”
Adapted from the SMN web site:
www.scottishmediation.org.uk

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

What does Peer Mediation do?

Peer mediation combines the concept

of peer support with the process of
mediation.

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 Peer Support

The range in Scottish schools includes:

• Peer Tutoring (e.g. paired reading)
• Peer Education (e.g. drugs education)
• Buddying / Befriending
• Mentoring
• Peer Counselling

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 So what is Peer Mediation?
• Peer Mediation involves two trained young
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 discussed and
brought out into the open. Through
acknowledgement and exploration comes shared
understanding which usually leads to a negotiated
and constructive way of managing the conflict.
• From the SMN’s ‘Guidelines for Schools’

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 What are the potential benefits?
Research indicates:
• Typically a 75-85% success rate.
• Reduced incidence of conflict in playgrounds and
classrooms.
• Personal development benefits for mediators.
• Increased staff time to deal with other
priorities.

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 Mediation as part of a peace
building process.
• Developing life skills
• Communication
• Negotiating
• Managing conflict in a positive way
• Responsibility for own behaviour
• Empowerment
• Respect

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

Mediation as part of a peace
building process.

Peer Mediation
in Schools

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 Mediation as part of a peace
building process.

Mediation in
Families and
Communities

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

Mediation as part of a peace
building process.

Mediation in
Our Culture

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

Mediation as part of a peace
building process.

Mediation
Local and
National

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 National and International
Perspectives
• Established for over 30 years in a number of
countries including USA, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand and England.

• Examples in Scotland since 1996.

• Over 100 schools in Scotland now involved.

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

Mediation as part of a peace
building process.

Embedding mediation in all cultures over the world.

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008

 What Next?
• Making and maintaining links
• Share what is working (and what is
not!)
• Keep in touch
• carol@scottishmediation.org.uk

created by Scottish Mediation Network June 2008