DEVELOPING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS THROUGH PEER MEDIATION

What is Peer Mediation?

Peer mediation is a form of conflict resolution in schools. It is a process whereby pupils in conflict are guided by someone their own age through a series of steps so that they can find their own solution. Peer mediation works because it empowers young people to resolve their own disputes.

How does it work?

Mediators work in pairs: one pair will be on duty in the playground along with the lunchtime supervision staff keeping an eye out for disagreements. When they come across any conflict they will ask the pupils involved if they would like to ‘go to mediation’ to settle the dispute. Another pair of trained mediators will be based in a mediation room and will then go through the mediation process with them. At the end of this process an agreement will hopefully be reached bringing closure to the dispute.

Which students can be mediators?

Primary schools – usually pupils at the end of year 5 are trained so they can take the skills and use them in year 6 (younger pupils will go to older ones to help sort out their problems but not usually the other way round).

Secondary schools – usually students at the end of year 9 are trained so that they are able to utilise their skills at the school for a further two years.

Any suitable pupil may be selected for the training including those with special educational needs. Generally those selected are the children that other children would naturally go to when they need someone to talk to about a problem.

What are the benefits?

• Mediation provides a means of resolving problems and can prevent escalation.
• Conflict is accepted as a normal healthy part of relationships when it can be managed constructively.
• Mediation encourages students to take responsibility for their behaviour and their relationships.
• Mediators improve their skills in the areas of affirming, listening, communication, negotiating and problem solving. Their self-esteem is enhanced and school performance often improves.
• Schools with a peer mediation scheme report that they have become more peaceful.  Students know that they have a dispute resolution system that is confidential and non-confrontational and truancy levels are usually reduced.
• Teacher time and stress is reduced as some of the need for disciplining, arbitrating and coercing is lessened. They have more time and energy to devote to other issues.
• Students who have a sense of their ability to manage relationship difficulties also have a heightened ability to manage their learning.
• Young people trained in mediation will go on to use their mediation skills outside school, for example when there is conflict within their own family or when their family is in conflict with their neighbours.

Do all schools have a peer mediation scheme?

Only certain schools have the scheme up and running. To set up a peer mediation scheme takes a certain amount of time and commitment from the school and the pupils, and also the skills and resources of a recognised and approved mediation service to deliver the appropriate training. A whole school approach to peer mediation is essential for its success. 

Where peer mediation schemes are up and running, it has been recognised that mediation is an effective tool for resolving disputes and keeping conflict in the playground to a minimum thus leading to less anxious pupils and improved learning in the classroom.

Click on these links to find out more about:

Intergenerational Mediation - Time 2 Talk
Community Mediation
Other Mediation