Qualification recommendations

I'm waiting for my Assoc CIPD Experience Assessment, but my next step is an Internal Workplace Mediator course. From what I have researched having this capability in house can be really useful in nipping disputes and grievances in the bud, getting to the heart of what a problem is.

Verbally approved, but I need the Headteacher to press "yes" on our appraisal and CPD system!

Hi Matthew,
I actually think a mediator course would be really interesting and very helpful. I might look at something similar myself. I have considered it in the past when dealing with rather difficult workplace disputes

Hi Matthew,
I actually think a mediator course would be really interesting and very helpful. I might look at something similar myself. I have considered it in the past when dealing with rather difficult workplace disputes

Where are you based?

I did a fabulous Webinar with a Mediation company based in the E Midlands & they offer everything up to accredited status. Many others out there too. ACAS one looks good but it expensive for accredited.

I've been advised only to do a face-to-face not online version.

Liverpool,
Interesting you have been advised to do face to face only, i will definitely bear this in mind !

Out of curiosity Matthew, can you name the mediation company? I can think of one but unsure if they would insist on F-F, my suspicious side says this is more about money ....

Hi Hannah, just a quick pointer which I hope will assist you - while ACAS do offer mediation training this is purely as an interior mediator which is most probably what you are looking for. If there are any ambitions at a later stage to use mediation as an income stream the ACAS course is unsuitable and you would need to undertake training at another provider. Hope this helps with the planning. :-)

Fab, that's really helpful Clare, thank you

Pragmatism (UK) based in Notts. However it's not just there that has given this guidance.

I have found a face-to-face course at a reasonable price much more locally to me. Horses for courses, I guess, but I feel I would get much more out of it by being in a room with people.

Probably my personality type or learning style, although there's an element that says if I try to do this remotely from the office then I will be constantly distracted. It doesn't matter if I have headphones on and am intent on a screen, people still come and stand in front of me gesticulating until I come away from what I'm doing...

I'm deliberately going down the internal workplace mediator rote. I have also been advised to check carefully what a syllabus offers as some courses are about commercial and other mediation and therefore not necessarily relevant to workplace disputes.

I'm sure the skillset similar, and I may of course have been misinformed!

Good news Matthew! Glad to hear you've had good advice and definitely different types of mediation, each with their own features.

Ah yes, I have also encountered Pragmatism and did one of their webinars. Can't say I was totally impressed (but could just be a matter of personal preference), and was subsequently subjected to regular, unwanted marketing emails. They wouldn't be my first choice for mediation training .... And agree with you about face to face learning, completing courses online has its' challenges.

I rather liked what I saw, but then it was my first introduction to the subject on a formal basis rather than just running mediation which I have done both in my paid and voluntary work.

I'm actually doing a course closer to home, if I can get Head to press "approve" on our booking system!