Additional Support Needs Mediation in Education
The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 places a duty on local authorities to provide access to independent mediation for resolving disputes with parents and carers of children and young people with additional support needs. We call this Additional Support Needs (ASN) Mediation
What is mediation?
Mediation is a flexible way of solving problems or disagreements in a whole range of situations. It can help the people involved to find a way forward, working with an impartial, independent mediator. The mediator is not employed by the Council, but provides services to Local Authority as an independent company, Resolution Mediation Scotland.
Mediation is:
- Voluntary. People are willing to come to the session because they want to try to settle the problem or disagreement, even if they don’t know how to do that.
- Confidential. This means that issues and ideas for solving the issues can be discussed, without worrying about them being used against you in the future.
- Flexible. Mediation will be carried out online using Zoom. This means that you don’t have to meet face to face in person and allows you to meet from home.
- Informal. The mediator is trained to make mediation sessions as supportive and as comfortable as is possible, for everyone involved.
- Balanced so that everyone gets a fair chance to be heard. Mediation provides an opportunity for you to say what’s important to you and your child and hear the other person’s views, who is representing the Local Authority.
- Child focussed: ASN mediation is focussed on finding a way forward, that best meets the needs of your child.
- Speed: taking part in mediation means you will agree solutions or the way forward, quicker and more easily than other methods.
- Cost: the mediation service is free and is offered by the Council, through an independent company, to support you and your child.
Mediators are:
- Even handed: they avoid taking sides, or deciding who’s right or wrong
- Supportive: help people work out what needs to be discussed and what might be the options for a way forward. The mediator will support people to discuss the options and agree the solutions
- Understanding: The mediator understands it can be difficult to discuss your disagreement with the Council. The mediator provides a safe and supportive environment and ensures the meeting is carried out in a calm and respectful way
A mediator asks questions and listens, during the first individual private meeting with you. These meetings are all completely confidential. Then a joint meeting is organised, with the representative of the Council, you and the mediator. At the end of the joint meeting, you and the Council representative, agree on the way forward.
Often this agreement is put into writing so that it is clear what has been agreed. However, mediation is a flexible process, and if more meetings are required in order to find a way forward to meet the needs of your child, then this will be discussed and agreed with those involved.
The mediators are all accredited and have been mediating for many years and have additional training in ASN Mediation. They are all practitioner members of Scottish Mediation and are on their register of accredited mediators. They work independently from the Council, through Resolution Mediation Scotland.
You can contact Resolution Mediation Scotland directly, by phone or email to make an initial appointment or to discuss whether mediation may be the right route for you and your child. You can also be referred by someone else.
Or click here to request Mediation
Anyone can make a referral to Resolution Mediation Scotland for mediation: the child, young person, parent, carer, the Local Authority or any organisation involved in supporting a child or young person and their family. Referrals can only be made with your permission, as mediation is a voluntary process.
Click here to request Mediation
You can email them at info@resolutionmediationscotland.co.uk or you can text or phone them on: 07577060801 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
or you can click here to request Mediation
Customer Testimonials
Senior NHS Manager
I had several coaching sessions with Catriona when I was going through a difficult time at work. Catriona’s calm approach put me at ease instantly. She supported me to think about my situation from an objective point of view. Her coaching style enabled me to reflect and focus on a positive way forward. Catriona is easy to talk to and has a wealth of experience and knowledge. I cannot thank her enough for supporting me through a very difficult time in my career.
Customer Testimonials
Nuv
I underestimated the coaching I would receive from Catriona; I actually didn’t know what I was expecting, but from the first session I was blown away! I instantly noticed a shift in my personal being and my attitude towards the complex situations I was facing. The simplicity and the way in which these sessions have a deep changing impact are life-altering. Catriona is gentle wise and compassionate, her ability to connect and hold space of pure truth is a gift. I truly am grateful for our time together. Had I not started the sessions, I would still be holding unnecessary consuming energy, and life’s challenges would have been a whole lot harder.
Customer Testimonials
Head of Organisational Development
As an external support Catriona has been able to get to the key challenges much more quickly than someone who is embedded in the existing culture. Her rapport-building skills mean that this connection happens quickly and staff have reported back that feeling safe and having someone external who is focused on the positive aspects has been key to their individual success and improvement.”
Customer Testimonials
Speciality Doctor, NHS Scotland
I wasn’t sure what to expect; despite the initial tension I felt at ease and found the whole process helpful. Catriona was understanding, helpful, supportive and managed to mediate my problem with a colleague, to a positive conclusion for both involved – something I didn’t expect. I would recommend her to anyone, who has a working relationship difficulty.
Customer Testimonials
Kiran, Project Manager, NHS Scotland
I found the process that Catriona used to be empowering and enabling on many levels. I felt completely supported by Catriona. She created an engaging and protected environment, to enable us to make the most of the opportunity. We always had the chance to discuss any concerns. I would encourage anyone who is offered mediation to do it, as its definitely made life at work better.”
Customer Testimonials
NHS Scotland employee
Mediation created a safe place for me to explain myself and the position I was coming from, while also helping me to understand the issues and perspectives of my colleague. It allowed us to mutually find a place where we could work and collaborate together. The agreement we created together has been very useful – allowing both of us to contract with each other in a way that didn’t seem possible before mediation. It has helped improve our working relationship and significantly reduced and removed the tension that existed before we started this process.”