Set up an Internal Mediation Service
Set up your organisation’s internal mediation service using our package of accredited mediation training, support and expertise. Bringing mediation in house and training a team of volunteer mediators is a cost-effective way of managing conflict at work. Use our checklist to make sure you cover every avenue when starting up your service.
We bring expertise to help you start your project, and work with you to the end; from setting up mediation protocols, to evaluating your service.
Watch BIS talk about how they set up and benefit from mediation
The Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) is responsible for implementing dispute resolution for UK business. CMP were chosen as their supplier of choice and provided recruitment exercises, accredited mediation training and ongoing support. The short film below shows how BIS embedded their mediation service and made savings of £120,000. Download a PDF version of the case study here.
Q1. What support do you get in recruiting your mediators – the training is an investment in staff so you will want to get the right people going on to the course. With CMP you can get full recruitment and selection support, including role description, application materials, assessment centre management, and interview support).
Q2. What kind of qualification do your mediators get? Is it a nationally recognised one that can sit on the QCF? CMP offers both an ILM Endorsed programme (part of the City and Guilds Group) and an OCR Accredited Certificate programme – both industry standards.
Q3. How genuine is the ‘pass mark’ – or will everyone be put forward as competent to mediate regardless of suitability? Not everyone has a mediator within them, and CMP will supportively advise candidates that being a mediator is not for them if they are unable to demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes.
Q4. What on-going support is provided not only for mediators but also for the client and HR department? CMP provides an annual ‘MOT’ reassessment; 12 months phone and email “just-in-time” mediator and service manager support; and the option to receive mentoring on early cases. You can have your relevant policies and procedures reviewed to bring them in line with the legislation and the new service.
Q5. How much experience does the provider have – will you be reinventing the wheel and can they put you in touch with other organisations in your sector to share learning with? By benefiting from our 20 years’ experience, you fast-track your service to start delivering results, and we actively connect you with other organisations in your sector.
Q6. Is the actual trainer you’re being offered a professional mediator – or are they a generic or management trainer who has little personal experience under their belt? All CMP’s trainers have at least 10 years’ experience of workplace mediation and can bring the subject to life and relevance.
Q7. What kind of collateral support is included – or will you have to create your own letters, admin support, monitoring systems and promotional material? You get a full pack of materials covering full monitoring and evaluation, promoting your service, and a template of letters as part of the training.
Q8. How will your supplier make sure your service gets used and mediation cases are referred? Mediation training is only part of the story – the two main differences between an active and a dormant service are the amount of promotion provided, and the support offered to the coordinator. You can spread the word by webinars delivered to your business; and of course, contact us for support at any time for 12 months.
Phone us on 0844 504 8874 or email us to find out whether setting up your own service is going to be right for your organisation.