• Key mediation principles.
• Role of the Mediator: key skills and qualities.

Benefits and Challenges of Mediation Interventions

• Introduction to 6-stage mediation process.
• Context and application of mediation to workplace.
• Types of disputes, where it fits into the resolution process; how it relates to other relevant interventions.

The Mediation Process

Stage One:

Preparing to Mediate, Pre-mediation: key issues, 4 key tasks in preparing parties.

Case management process: Agreement to Mediate/Ground rules.

Setting up mediation practicalities.

When mediation is not appropriate.

Developing questions around each key task.

Conflict Theory Conflict Dynamics

Key elements of conflict.

Conflict Treadmill.

‘Iceberg’ of conflict – self-reflection and analysis of a conflict situation.

Types of conflict: cognitive & affective, constructive and destructive.

Responses.

Neuroscience of conflict.

Conflict styles Assessment – review and feedback.

Workplace and Organisational Conflict

Key signs, causes and costs.

Stage Two: Opening and Establishing the Mediation Process

Key purpose and tasks of Opening stage.

Communication Skills

Active Listening Skills.

Overview of micro-skills.

Role in mediation and conflict management; listening for hidden ‘iceberg’ elements.

Five-stage listening cycle: attend, invite, acknowledge, summarise, questions.

Stage Three: Hearing and Exchange of ‘Stories’

Questions in mediation Types of questions, purpose in mediation, focus on uncovering underlying needs and interests, focus on information gathering.

Issues in mediation Managing emotions:

• De-escalation skills, ‘high’ conflict behaviours/ personalities.
• Types of power and power-balancing in mediation Day 3.

Negotiation overview Principled & integrative

• Negotiation styles; positional versus interest based negotiation.

Mediation skills

• Framing and reframing.

Stage Four: Identifying and Framing the Issues

Ethics – MII Code of Ethics and Practice.

Co-mediation.

Stage Five: Option Development and Negotiation

Stage Six: Written agreements Drafting written agreement

Training Methodology

Demonstrations, role playing & simulations with individual coach-mentoring and feedback, small and large group discussion, case study, peer observation, short research assignments, trainer presentation/inputs.

Role play practice forms a core part of the training. All participants will receive extensive individual coaching and mentoring on their skill development throughout the course. Role play feedback focuses on issues and skills from each of the 4 core assessment categories: Managing the Relationships.

Participants are also required to complete a Learning journal, written assignment and prepare and present a short presentation on an area of relevance or interest.

Certified Mediation Programme Assessment

The Assessment for Certified Mediator level will be carried out by an External Assessor. The assessment requires the candidate being assessed to act as a mediator in a role play which must run for 50-55 minutes. The two disputant roles are played by two of the other candidates for assessment. The candidates will receive 3 role plays in advance of the assessment day to read. Each role play is filmed and candidates will receive a DVD copy of the role play they have mediated.

The assessment is based on the Mediators’ Institute Ireland Certified Member Competencies which focuses on the 4 key areas of:

• Managing the Relationships.
• Managing the Process.
• Managing the Content.
• Managing the Self.

• Those who want to become accredited Professional Mediators;
• Those who wish to use mediation skills in their area of work or profession;
• Managers, HR Practitioners, Team Leaders, Consultants, Advisers, and others who negotiate and deal with conflict
  and dispute resolution;
• Officials and non full-time Trade Union Representatives;
• Anybody – at any level – with responsibility for resolving workplace disputes and conflict who wishes to enhance
  their skills in this area.

How do I become a qualified mediator?

The first step in becoming a MII Qualified Mediator is to complete a MII Certified Training Programme. Hibernian Training Courses currently offers this programme in a standard 6 day format – see Course Content for programme objectives and content. This course is accredited by Mediators Institute of Ireland (The MII).

What can I use my qualification for?

You can become an MII Accredited Mediator. This training includes assessment for accreditation with the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland. Participants who pass this assessment will be eligible to register with the MII to practice as a “Certified Mediator”.

With the introduction of the Mediation Bill next year, it is expected that only Accredited Mediators will be allowed to work in private practice.