Induction of Trained Mediators

If you have already got your Legal Aid accreditation, then you will still need to be inducted into the Focus systems and observe and assimilate the Focus way of working. This is not a criticism of you as a mediator, but it is to ensure consistent standards and practices in our service. There are several consequences:-

You will need to be a member of the Family Mediators Association, which is the professional body that Focus mediators belong to. If you have been trained through Resolution or National Family Mediation you should be able to join FMA. If you have been trained through other professional bodies you will need to make enquiries about this.

You will need to be ready to commit several days to observing and possibly co-mediating with an established Focus mediator.

Your work will be overseen and your files reviewed to check standards against the Legal Services Commission quality mark and Focus’ internal standards.

Property and Financial mediations will be done by lawyer mediators up-to-date in Family Law. Returning mediators and non-Family Law backgrounds will need to be up-to-date in Family Law, to ensure top quality legal information is given to clients.

Non lawyer mediators wanting to conduct Property and Financial and all issue mediations will need to undertake a programme of study and pass a test before being able to mediate non children only cases. In any event, all mediators conducting mediations with a Property and/or Financial element will need to attend regular Family Law courses and keep up to date with the Law.

There are many children only cases for non lawyer mediators as well as Court work on Children Act First Appointments.

The Legal Services Commission is beginning to measure the success of mediators over a range of key performance indicators (“KPIs”). These include the percentage of willingness tests converted to assessment for suitability to mediation, the percentage of assessments converting to mediation starts as well as the successfulness of overall mediations.

Mediation is growing up as a profession and maturing into a very demanding career. It requires immense commitment from mediators and trainers alike. Mediations is also the most satisfying and exhausting, fascinating and difficult work.

Still interested? Email your full CV in confidence to Lynn Devereux and one of our supervisors will get in touch with you.

Mary Banham-Hall
Lead Mediator and Managing Director
Family Focus Mediation