Become a Professional Mediator
We provide mediation training courses to enable you to become a family mediator, community mediator or a civil and commercial mediator.
Our courses are recognised by the Family Mediation Council, Family Mediation Standards Board and the College of Mediators
About us
LBA was established in 2001 and is both a thriving mediation practice and a training organisation. Over the past twenty years Lorraine has created a talented, well trained and experienced team. They come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and are professional practice consultants, practice managers and teachers as well as practising mediators.
We provide opportunities for trainee mediators to experience real mediation in a safe environment. This enables us to use and understand best practice in mediation as well as design and deliver training that puts theory and skills in a practical context. Our enthusiasm for the latest approaches and ideas led us to create the Excellence programme, which is designed to support anyone who needs to use mediation skills throughout their career. The Excellence programme can help you to review your own performance, keep up to date and, eventually, pass your learning on to others if you want to as a professional practice consultant, mediation mentor or trainer.
LBA is committed to promoting higher standards within the mediation profession. Our Training courses are recognised as amongst the best on offer and we are constantly working to improve them. We also contribute to work on the development and promotion of standards within the mediation profession through our involvement in the College of Mediators, the Professional Standards Committee, specialist working and regional groups, articles and speaking at conferences. Lorraine led the College of Mediators for a number of years and is an assessor for the Family Mediation Council Accreditation scheme.
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 courses. 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 mediation training 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.
New for 2022 – Our new blended learning Foundation Mediation Training Course.
Our new blended learning course combines both In-Person Training and Online Sessions to maximise flexibility for course participants and allows you to practice and develop both your in-person and online mediation skills. Each online session is three hours long and is supported by our in-person Mediation Skills School sessions which take place in person over two days.
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.
Successful completion of the combined Essentials, Fundamentals and Family Specialism Courses 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 of the Essentials and Fundamentals courses enables you to register with the College of Mediators as a Community and Workplace mediator.
The Family Specialism course is currently only open to mediators who are attending our Essentials and Fundamentals of Dispute Resolution courses. Those wishing to train as a professional Family Mediator are advised to attend all three Essentials, Fundamentals and Family Specialism Courses in combination. Please contact us or see the FMC website for full details of entry requirements for Family Mediation Training.
Don’t forget our FREE Taster Day for people who want to learn more about our Training – Book Now to secure your place.
| 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. | 3 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. | 6 weeks (including the Essentials sessions)
This 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. |
10 weeks (including the Essentials and Fundamentals sessions)
This 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 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: 3 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: 6 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 developments in response to the Pandemic
The outbreak of COVID-19 Coronavirus 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.
New and trainee mediators are vital for the future of the industry so we produced an entirely restructured course, which was 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 designed to be run as a combined online and in person course with the ability to move entirely online should COVID circumstances require it. The course has been a huge success and has proved very popular with mediation trainees .
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.
What our trainees say about online training:
“Surprised how good it has been – in a good way !”
“I really enjoyed Zoom as a way of taking the course. The level of teaching and interaction on Zoom is as effective as if it was delivered in person.”
“….. a very efficient cost effective way to deliver this type of course and information without any loss of quality” .
The online sessions can be done from the comfort of your own home, and the 2 day face-to-face skills Mediation Skills School sessions will be held in Camden London.
It is our aim to make our course accessible and environmentally responsible whilst striking the right balance between in-person and online learning. Should Covid circumstances mean that we are required to revert to fully online training the course can be adapted to do so and is fully recognised by both the FMC and the College of Mediators for both in person and online delivery.
Course dates and duration
These are the dates for our next course. Closing date for applications is 4th July 2022
Online sessions are 3 hours:
| Essential Dispute Resolution Skills Summer 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Session 1 (Online) – 25th July 2022 Session 2 (Online) – 27th July 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 1st August 2022 |
Session 4 (Online) – 3rd August 2022 Session 5 (Online) – 8th August 2022 Session 6 (Online) – 10th August 2022 |
| Fundamentals of Dispute Resolution Summer 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Mediation Skills School A (In-Person, London) – 22nd to 23rd August 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 6th September 2022 |
Session 4 (Online) – 8th September 2022 Initial Assessment (Online) – 14th September 2022 |
| Family Specialism Autumn 2022 | |
|---|---|
| Mediation Skills School B (In-Person, London) – 24th and 25th October 2022 Session 2 (Online) – 8th November 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 10th November 2022 Session 4 (Online) – 15th November 2022 |
Session 5 (Online) – 17th November 2022 Session 6 (Online) – 22nd November 2022 Session 7 (Online) – 24th November 2022 Mediation Skills School C – including Final Assessment (In-Person, London) – 3 days – 5th to 7th December 2022 |
If you would like to find out more, please email us at enquiries@bestwayforward.training or you can now Apply Online!
Course dates and duration
These are the dates for our next course. Closing date for applications is 4th July 2022
Online sessions are 3 hours:
| Essential Dispute Resolution Skills Summer 2022 |
|---|
| Session 1 (Online) – 25th July 2022 Session 2 (Online) – 27th July 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 1st August 2022 Session 4 (Online) – 3rd August 2022 Session 5 (Online) – 8th August 2022 Session 6 (Online) – 10th August 2022 |
| Fundamentals of Dispute Resolution Summer 2022 |
|---|
| Mediation Skills School A (In-Person, London) – 22nd to 23rd August 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 6th September 2022 Session 4 (Online) – 8th September 2022 Initial Assessment (Online) – 14th September 2022 |
| Family Specialism Autumn 2022 |
|---|
| Mediation Skills School B (In-Person, London) – 24th and 25th October 2022 Session 2 (Online) – 8th November 2022 Session 3 (Online) – 10th November 2022 Session 4 (Online) – 15th November 2022 Session 5 (Online) – 17th November 2022 Session 6 (Online) – 22nd November 2022 Session 7 (Online) – 24th November 2022 Mediation Skills School C – including Final Assessment (In-Person, London) – 3 days – 5th to 7th December 2022 |
If you would like to find out more, please email us at enquiries@bestwayforward.training or you can now Apply Online!
Course Fees
Course fees are:
Essentials only (3 weeks): £680 (£200 deposit)
Essentials and Fundamentals (6 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 2021 Mediation 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 Essentials, 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 but would like to know more, please contact us on 01793 887227 or email enquiries@bestwayforward.com. Or just Apply Online!
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.
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.
Contact us to find out more
If you 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.