DIVORCE MEDIATION TRAINING:

TRAINERS

The FAMAC model of mediation is based on that of the Family Mediators' Association of the UK. It is cross-disciplinary, as is the method of training, with John O'Leary (lawyer mediator) and Ilana Edelstein(family mediator) training together with other FAMAC mediators.

AIMS OF THE COURSE

The course trains lawyer mediators and family mediators to co-mediate on all issues relating to family and divorce mediation, following the FAMAC Code of Practice and other FAMAC procedures, which in turn are based on those of the FMA.

The training is designed:

1. to bring together experienced practitioners – lawyers, therapists, social workers – who have considerable knowledge and skills in their own disciplines;
2. to help those practitioners make the transition from the role of lawyer, therapist etc to the different role of co-mediator;
3. to teach the FAMAC model of co-mediation – a structured process with its own ground-rules and procedures;
4. to develop skills in managing conflict, facilitating communication, handling power imbalances, etc;
5. to explore issues such as communication between mediators and the parties' own legal advisers; decisions to terminate mediation; the involvement of children and other family members

The course puts emphasis on developing skills through practical exercises such as role-play. There is no expectation that course members become experts in each other's disciplines in the space of five days. There is therefore very little legal education or teaching about family systems, the emotional stages of divorce and children's reactions to parental divorce. Reading lists will be provided and course members will be expected to do their own homework to fill in gaps or extend their knowledge of subjects with which they are relatively unfamiliar.

Mediators need sufficient grasp of the context – emotional, legal, economic, social – in which mediation takes place, but the focus of the course is on mediation methods and skills rather than on areas of background knowledge familiar to at least half the group. The aim is not to turn lawyers into counsellors or therapists or vice versa, but to teach a structured method of comprehensive mediation and to develop interdisciplinary partnerships between mediators from different disciplines. We are concerned to set and maintain high standards in this new field of cross-disciplinary work. It offers challenges that call for personal qualities such as imagination, sensitivity, flexibility, clear thinking and the ability to trust one's co-worker. A sense of humour is probably indispensable.

MARKETING

FAMAC does not undertake to supply mediators with work, but all marketing carried out by FAMAC promotes accredited mediators, whose names appear on the panel which is circulated.

FAMAC ACCREDITATION

A practising mediator is required to have completed a  training in divorce mediation that is recognised by FAMAC and to have co-mediated with an accredited FAMAC mediator in at least 2 mediations, comprising at least 3 sessions in total, writing a summary for each session i.e: a minimum of 3 summaries. The candidate for accreditation is also required to have attended at least three FAMAC general meetings and one workshop during the year prior to accreditation,  and to have made payment  of annual membership fees. Further attendance at advanced training and or further co-mediations might be required prior to attaining accreditation. Details of all the above are to be clearly set out in the letter of application, attaching the summaries.  Accreditation is not automatic. It is at the discretion of the FAMAC Committee.