Peer Mediation Programme

One of the most important factors in determining whether there is a positive tone in the playground is whether students can play together peacefully and whether they can resolve disputes without resorting to abuse and aggression. One of the most important social skills students need to learn about life, is how to resolve disputes in a peaceful way that meets the needs of both parties. This skill is essential for getting on with peers, maintaining friendships, and in adult life for successful and positive working relationships.

Elements of the peer mediation programme.

1) Students are selected to be mediators.

2) Students are given training.
Training uses role play, discussion to help students understand conflict and the process of mediating disputes. It covers active listening, expressing feelings, rules of mediation, generating possible solutions, reaching agreement and following up.  Mediators need to remember that good listening involves:

• looking at the person
• listening without interruption
• showing you are thinking about what they are saying by nodding and appropriate facial expression
• asking questions when they have finished to make sure you understand
• and summarising what they said to check you understand what they were trying to say.

3) Students familiarised with the programme.
All students need to have the process explained to them and some role plays of mediation taking place. Student mediators need to be introduced.

4) Ongoing emphasis on mediation process.
Ensure the programme maintains a high profile in the school.

5) Support for Student Mediators
Daily, weekly follow up for the student mediators.  It can be stressful, it will take time for them to build up confidence.  Sometimes the mediation process will not work.  It is important that mediators work in pairs so that they can support and encourage each other.  Mediators should fill in a brief report form after each mediation so that it can be reviewed in conjunction with a staff member.

The mediation process will be reinforced if the teacher encourages  students to use the system.

Peer Mediators will be Yr 7 & 8 students and will only work in the Junior playground.

The Steps involved in the Mediation process.

This is a basic format for a mediation session.

1) The student mediators introduce themselves and ask the students involved in the conflict if they would like help in solving the problem. (It is important that the students involved in the conflict feel that this is necessary rather than having the teacher on Duty become involved.)

2) Mediators and students in conflict move to a quieter place if necessary for the mediation. 

3) Students in dispute must agree to follow the four rules of mediation.
    a) No interrupting.
    b) No name calling or put downs.
    c) Try and tell the truth.
    d) Try and solve the problem

4) Decide who will speak first- usually the most upset student.

• They will say what happened.
• Mediator re-states in summary form to check facts.
• Mediator will ask how they feel and why they feel that way.
• The second student then states what happened. 
• The mediator follows the same process.

5) Ask each student to suggest possible solutions and comment on each others suggestions as to whether it will meet their needs and solve the problem.  Work with suggestions, finding areas of agreement, modifying etc. until both students agree to a solution. Mediator checks that they are happy with the solution(s) and that the problems are resolved. If necessary students will write out their side of the agreement.

6) Mediators fill in mediation report form.

7) Mediators may need to check with students later to ensure the agreement is adhered to.

Mediators

                *don't judge who was right or wrong.
                *do not apportion blame.
                *do not impose their own solutions.
                *actively listen.
                *help students through the process.
                *help them with solutions.