Become a Professional Mediator
Mediation is an often challenging, but ultimately rewarding career.
Disputes vary widely, and all have their own unique challenges and circumstances. No two mediation cases are ever really the same and Mediators have to be quick thinking, creative, resourceful and ready for the sudden changes and surprises that any mediation session can bring. Recent changes in the law has moved mediation to the centre stage as the preferred way forward for both the public and the courts.
The outbreak of COVID-19 Coronavirus has forced a rapid and unexpected transformation on the mediation industry. Mediators, long used to meeting clients face to face, have suddenly had to grapple with the challenges posed by lock down restrictions and adopt remote methods of working. This sea change in mediation provision has highlighted the need for mediators to be trained to run online mediation in a safe and professional manner in addition to traditional mediation skills.
The LBA Excellence Programme
LBA Excellence is a comprehensive programme of Mediation training, information, supervision and services to support new professional Mediators who aspire to be the best. Fully recognised by both the College of Mediators, the Family Mediation Council and the Family Mediation Standards Board, LBA Excellence training and support packages are suitable for those wanting to develop a career as a professional mediator, the professional development of those who are already established mediators and also for other professionals seeking high quality training in mediation skills to augment their current professional roles.
Mediation Training has also been hit by COVID-19. For a time it was simply not possible for training to take place as regulatory requirements clashed with lockdown restrictions but we have been working hard to find ways to adapt. Family Mediation Courses recognised by the FMC are required to include face to face sessions, and we felt that it was important for the in-person mediation skills gained by this type of training to be maintained. However, what has become clear is that the use of technology has made mediation more accessible and online mediation is likely to continue to be popular even after the COVID restrictions are lifted.
An innovative new approach to Mediation Foundation Training
Since the beginning of the lockdown, we have been working behind the scenes to try and mitigate the effects of the crisis on experienced mediators and clients. New and trainee mediators are vital for the future of the industry so we have now produced an entirely restructured course, which will be the first Foundation Training Course to incorporate training both in traditional “in-person” mediation skills and in the skills required for mediating online.
The course is a combination of:
- Live interactive online training sessions
- Demonstration videos
- Theoretical knowledge
- Regular mediation skills practice sessions delivered both in person and online.
Our courses are structured to allow maximum flexibility to safely address the particular challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic. The online sessions can be done from the comfort of your own home, and the regular face to face skills days will be offered either on a national or regional basis to minimise the need to travel at peak times and to avoid overnight stays away from home. We hope that in using this approach, we will introduce enough flexibility to minimise disruption to the course in the event of any regional lockdowns.
What makes the LBA Excellence programme different?
The LBA Excellence programme was the very first modular Mediation Foundation Training course, designed as part of a fresh approach to mediation training. It is designed to give participants a firm grounding in the fundamentals of mediation skills and processes before applying those to their chosen specialist area of dispute resolution.
Our courses lead to a recognised mediation qualification in your chosen area of mediation, while also enabling mediators to progress by enrolling on further modules specialising in other areas of mediation at a later date to broaden their areas of expertise over time on a wider range of disputes.
The programme also enables mediators who have already trained in one area of mediation to convert to another area of mediation without having to go back to basics each time.
Our new course is designed around a weekly commitment of around 10 hours a week. This comprises of two 3-hour sessions of online live classes, private study and homework plus regular “in person” mediation practice sessions, which will be socially distanced and arranged to minimise risk and disruption.
You have a choice of three training levels to achieve a standard appropriate for the type of mediation work you wish to do. Each course builds on the previous level giving you maximum flexibility to train at the pace and to the level you wish.
| Course level | Who is it for? | Course length and award |
| Essentials | If you would like to find out more about mediation and learn key conflict resolution skills this is the course for you. It is ideal for those who deal with conflict in their everyday work and for those who are considering a career in mediation. | 2 weeks
This course is not assessed Awards: College of Mediators CPD course certificate of attendance and ability to join as an associate (non-practicing) member |
| Fundamentals of Dispute Resolution | If you want to practice as a professional mediator this course gives you the skills and knowledge to successfully enable people in dispute to find a way forward that feels fair and workable for them. This broad-based course gives you an insight into different types and styles of mediation used in a wide range of situations including community, neighbour, commercial and family conflicts. | 4 weeks (including the Essentials sessions)This course is assessedAwards: successful completion of both course and assessment leads to a College of Mediators recognised Community and Workplace Mediation qualification and ability to join the College of Mediators as a practicing mediator. |
| Family Mediator Specialism | If you want to practice as a professional family mediator, this is one of only a handful of courses which has recognition from both the College of Mediators and the Family Mediation Council.
FMC recognition is essential for those intending to offer family mediation to those who are separating or divorcing and likely to be using the family court. It is also essential for those who may wish to offer legally aided family mediation. |
10 weeks (including the Essentials and Fundamentals sessions)This course is assessedAwards: Successful completion of course and assessment leads to ability to register with the Family Mediation Council as a trained family mediator and to join the College of Mediators as a practicing mediator for family, workplace and community matters. |
Course Levels
Essentials
If you would like to find out more about mediation and learn key conflict resolution skills this is the course for you. It is ideal for those who deal with conflict in their everyday work and for those who are considering a career in mediation.
Total course duration: 2 weeks
The course is not assessed
Awards: College of Mediators CPD course certificate of attendance and ability to join as an associate (non-practicing) member
Fundamentals of Dispute Resolution
If you want to practice as a professional mediator this course gives you the skills and knowledge to successfully enable people in dispute to find a way forward that feels fair and workable for them. This broad-based course gives you an insight into different types and styles of mediation used in a wide range of situations including community, neighbour, commercial and family conflicts.
Total course duration: 4 weeks (including the Essentials sessions)
The course is assessed
Awards: successful completion of both course and assessment leads to a College of Mediators recognised Community and Workplace Mediation qualification and ability to join the College of Mediators as a practicing mediator.
Family Mediator Specialism
If you want to practice as a professional family mediator, this is one of only a handful of courses which has recognition from both the College of Mediators and the Family Mediation Council.
FMC recognition is essential for those intending to offer family mediation to those who are separating or divorcing and likely to be using the family court. It is also essential for those who may wish to offer legally aided family mediation.
Total course duration: 10 weeks (including the Essentials and Fundamentals sessions)
the course is assessed
Awards: Successful completion of course and assessment leads to ability to register with the Family Mediation Council as a trained family mediator and to join the College of Mediators as a practicing mediator for family, workplace and community matters.
Course dates and duration
Our Autumn 2020 course is now full, but we will be announcing dates for our first 2021 course shortly. If you would like to find out more, please email us at enquiries@bestwayforward.training to register your interest.
Course Fees
Course fees are:
Essentials only (2 weeks): £680 (£200 deposit)
Essentials and Fundamentals (4 weeks): £1,280 (£500 deposit)
Full Specialism (10 weeks): £2,280. (£500 deposit)
Please note that there are additional requirements for entry and post training in Family Mediation, for more information ask for our 2020 Foundation pack.
When booking on our courses, you will need to pay a deposit to secure their place when they make their application. You can then pay the outstanding balance before the start of the course.
If you are booking onto the Fundamentals and Specialism course we can arrange payment by instalments, usually due before the start of each of the courses.
Successful completion of the complete Fundamentals and Family Specialism Courses (including the introductory course) enables you to register with the Family Mediation Council, and as such allows you to progress as a professional Family Mediator. You are also able to register as a Trained Family Mediator with the College of Mediators. Successful completion up to the Fundamentals course alone enables you to register with the College of Mediators as a community and workplace mediator.
If you are interested in attending a course, please contact us on 01793 887227 or email enquiries@bestwayforward.com.
Post Training Support.
We believe that good mediation training is much more than just providing an initial course. We offer post course support services including mentoring and professional practice consultancy to those looking to start up their own practice and work towards higher accredited status such as the FMCA. We will also try to help you find a mediation practice placement and keep you informed of regular work, training and networking and support opportunities. Please ask for a Training Pack to find out more.
Other Specialism Courses
These courses typically follow directly on from the Fundamentals Courses. They are for those who have completed the Fundamentals Course and wish to specialise in a specific area of mediation and be able to join national registers such as the College of Mediators and the Family Mediation Council as a Trained Mediator in that area. These courses can in some cases, also be accessed by trained mediators (i.e. those who already hold qualifications which would enable them to join the College of Mediators at least at Trained Mediator level), for example a community mediator who would like to offer Civil & Commercial mediation.
Contact us on 01793 887227 or email enquiries@bestwayforward.com to find out more.
We hope you have found the information on this page interesting. If you would like an application pack please contact us. If you are new to mediation and would like to discuss a potential career as a mediator or you are an organisation seeking training in mediation skills to compliment the current skills of your team, or for any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01793 887227 or at enquiries@bestwayforward.training.