| Teachers and others who work with young people in Dundee are being invited to consider the practical benefits of peer mediation at a seminar to be held in the City Chambers tomorrow.
Peer Mediation is where school children are trained to help other young people find solutions to disagreements.
Education consultant Richard Hendry, who helped pioneer the use of peer mediation in a Fife secondary school, will lead the seminar.
Mr Hendry established Scotland’s first peer mediation programme in St Andrew’s High, Kirkcaldy in 1996/97.
The event is being organised by Dundee Community Mediation, which is keen to encourage the use of mediation within schools.
“Experience suggests that successful peer mediation programmes need a long-term and wholehearted commitment from all concerned,” said Mr Hendry.
Dundee’s mediation team has a high success rate in resolving disputes on the city’s housing schemes and think the process could help pupils resolve difficulties with one another.
Service Team Leader Bob Ballantine commented, “Peer mediation involves training young people as mediators. They are then available to help students resolve difficulties with one another.
“The process is very effective in dealing with issues such as bullying, and also equips young people with valuable skills for the future. Another major bonus is that it takes pressure off the school staff and parents.”
A Scottish Executive trial launched in January 2004 trained staff in Fife, North Lanarkshire and Highland in mediation techniques to encourage disruptive pupils to take responsibility.
Restorative practice, which has already been used in schools in England, helps unruly children understand the consequences of their behaviour.
Examples of restorative practices include —
——Peer Mediation in cases of bullying or a dispute between pupils, where a trained pupil mediator will help those involved agree what has happened.
— Adult Mediation in cases of serious disputes between pupils and teachers, or parents and teachers, where a trained adult facilitator hears from both sides what has happened and reaches agreement with them about what has gone wrong.
— Restorative Conferencing in cases of ongoing disputes, where a trained facilitator involves all parties in a formal conference to agree a solution in which the wrongdoer acknowledges the impact of their actions and apologises.
The seminar will be held on Tuesday from 9am until 2pm.
A limited number of places are still available and can be booked by contacting Dundee Community Mediation on 01382 459252. Tickets cost £15 including a light lunch.
Dundee Community Mediation is an independent community mediation service run by SACRO in partnership with Dundee City Council, supported by the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund, local housing associations and Communities Scotland. |
