Peer mediation

Peer mediation teaches students to become mediators within schools and assist other students when conflict occurs. Peer mediators learn to become effective facilitators of conversations helping fellow students to resolve disputes in a facilitative, solution- focussed and positive manner.

At Fresh Start we believe that being able to work within a facilitative dispute resolution framework serves to both solve the dispute at hand, and provide students, both as mediators and parties, with useful communication tools for dispute resolution and problem-solving skills for the future.
A peer mediation program in schools provides a focus on building and maintaining positive relationships not only in terms of the relationships students hold at an individual level, but across the entire school community as a whole.

Benefits of Peer mediation

  • Skill development for students including active listening, problem-solving and communication
  • Taking responsibility for conflict and solving problems
  • Learning to manage conflict
  • Increased self-esteem for the peer mediators and students experiencing conflict

Goals of Peer Mediation

  • Train students in mediation structure and techniques
  • Increase awareness of the impact of conflict in people’s lives
  • Improve communication and trust between student peer groups
  • Teach students skills of problem solving, communication, active listening and critical thinking
  • Empower students to take responsibility for resolving their disputes and navigating their relationships
Find out more about the mediation process HERE

Benefits of mediation vs court

  • Faster

    Mediation usually takes between a half and full day, which is far quicker than going through the court system.

  • Confidentiality

    Mediation is confidential and take place in private settings whereas matters heard and decided in court generally are reported with transcriptions being made available to the public.

  • Informal + flexible

    Mediation is an informal process where the mediator acts as a supportive but neutral presence for both parties. Courts are more formal, intimating to many and are adversarial.

  • Cost-effective

    Mediation costs significantly less than going through the court system where each party requires their own legal representation.

  • Control

    Mediation allows parties to a dispute participate directly in the process of reaching agreement, giving parties more control over the outcome.

  • Promotes communication

    Mediation promotes direct communication between the parties opening up pathways for solutions and agreement, whereas the courts process can be adversarial and combative.

Face to Face Mediation + Online Mediation

At Fresh Start Mediation we offer face to face mediation or online mediation.

We assist parties to resolve disputes in an environment that is informal, neutral and fair, so that agreements reached are durable and long-lasting, offering parties peace of mind to move forward into the future.

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Online mediation offers a practical and accessible alternative to face to face mediation for parties who do not reside in the same location or do not wish to be in the same room for their mediation.

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Getting started with an intake session

The mediation process begins with an intake session, which occurs on a separate day prior to the mediation.

The pre-mediation intake session is a separate and confidential meeting between the mediator and each individual party. It can happen over the phone, online or as an in-person meeting. Each party must go through the intake session individually before we can proceed to the mediation.

The purpose of this first step is for the mediator to understand the circumstances of your situation and dispute – what brought you to mediation, what you hope to achieve from mediation and anything else we may need to know about you and your situation that could impact the mediation. For example, whether you feel comfortable being in the same room as the other party, or whether you prefer online mediation. The more we know about your situation, the better placed we are to facilitate the mediation successfully.

The intake session also gives us a chance to go through each phase of the mediation process with you – ensuring you understand exactly what to expect on the day.

The intake session also gives the mediator the chance to assess whether your dispute is appropriate for mediation. Instances where mediation may not be an alternative to the courts would be in the case where there is a serious safety concern via an emotional, physical or psychological threat to one of the parties, or if one party flatly refuses to participate.

As a starting point, we encourage you to give us a call and have an obligation-free chat about mediation and how it may be suited to your situation.

Start the mediation process by booking your intake meeting HERE

Give Fresh Start a call for an obligation-free discussion

At Fresh Start Mediation we understand you will probably have some questions. Fill in your details HERE and one of our team will give you a call, otherwise you are welcome to call us.

Fresh Start Mediation operates Australia wide, offering face to face and online mediation options.