Background to Peer Mediation

Peer mediation is an innovative method of helping young people to resolve their problems in a structured and supportive environment.  It has seen extensive implementation in other countries already and some organisations in the UK are already in the process of establishing schemes here.

The concept entails school pupils being trained in the use of mediation to resolve conflict.  The second stage involves the pupils resolving each other pupils' problems using the techniques they have been taught - hence the term, 'Peer' Mediation.

Why is it important?

Peer mediation schemes have been found to be hugely beneficial to schools, both in the UK and in other countries.  Not only do they have the obvious benefit of reducing school bullying and conflict, but also give pupils invaluable life skills.

While there are already organisations establishing peer mediation in the UK (Transforming Conflict and Leap Confronting Conflict, to mention two), it is still in a very small proportion of schools.  LawWorks has a large panel of accredited mediators who undertake traditional civil law mediations on a pro bono basis, where one party cannot afford to pay.  The charity is now planning to use this expertise to help schools on the way to establishing full peer mediation schemes.