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From Sue Tait, Casework Manager, East Sussex Local Authority:
East Sussex Children's Authority offers both informal and formal mediation to pupils with special educational needs.
Very often parents find themselves in dispute with us over a range of issues to do with their child's statement - or lack of it. Frequently, parents - who are likely to be anxious and stressed anyway - do not understand the process which leads to the decision with which they disagree. Mediation provides a vehicle for airing views and clearing the air from within a protective environment for both sides.
It is often possible for the LEA officer to feel "under siege" when meeting parents and their supporters. However, when meeting them under the Global umbrella they have an equal chance of speaking and stating their position in the knowledge that their voice will be equally heard and equally valued.
Because of the added luxury of having a considerable amount of time allocated to the meeting and the fact that it is held in neutral territory the tension and aggression which is frequently part of a meeting between the parents and the LEA is often dissipated totally.
Agreements - no matter how small - are often reached to everyone's surprise and satisfaction!
From a Parent Partnership Coordinator
One thing that occurred to me is the Marcel Proust quote that is often used in relation to mediation: "The real voyage of discovery consists, not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
From Stephen Moore at West Sussex Local Authority:
Global Mediation can be a good way to bring people together in the interests of the child or young person. It isn't the parent being summoned into school or the school being held to account to a quasi-judicial body. It is a positive alternative, bringing people together, preceded by personal contact, exploring points of agreement between parties who each have their own perspective, yet share the aim of wanting the pupil to succeed.
From a Parent Partnership Coordinator
"Keeping the communication channels open at all times is so important to achieving good outcomes for children. Sometimes that becomes very difficult and mediation is an excellent way to help people to refocus."
From Penny Chadwick, Parent Partnership Officer, Buckinghamshire:
I have supported parents at formal mediation where both parties have been prepared to compromise from an original position and try and move forward. Having a professional mediator to facilitate the process reduces conflict and helps promote and retain partnership working relationships between parents and the LEA. This has been successful in moving from a deadlock situation into one that is agreeable to both parties.
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