Peer Mediation in the Schools

What is peer mediation?
When is it used?
How does it work?
How much does it cost?
What do the mediators do?
What are some possible issues?
Who are the mediators?

What is peer mediation?

Peer mediation involves teaching students in a school how to mediate for their fellow students. Mediation is a process for resolving conflict in a voluntary, non-adversarial setting. Mediation works to resolve the problem at hand, while teaching valuable communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills. Adults act as trainers, mentors and coordinators.

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When is it used?

Peer mediation is used to help resolve interpersonal conflict between two students, whether or not this conflict has resulted in breaking school rules.
Participation is voluntary.
The students may be referred to the mediation program in a variety of ways:

• They may ask directly for mediation
• A teacher may refer them
• The school administrator in charge of discipline may refer them.

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How does it work?

• The peer mediators examine the conflict by hearing from each of the parties, and attempt to name their issues in such a way as to encourage the conflicting parties to work together toward a solution. It empowers the disputants to take responsibility for both the conflict and its solution.
• Peer mediation strives to identify mutually acceptable solutions that take into account the nature of the disputants' relationship.
• Peer mediation empowers students to solve conflict by modelling conflict resolution techniques that will serve them, and others, for a lifetime.

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How much does it cost?

There is no charge for peer mediation sessions. The cost of a peer mediation training in your school will vary depending on the size of the school and the number of students trained.

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What do the mediators do?

Mediators help their fellow students:

• Voice individual concerns
• Establish a sense of equality among all participants while discussing issues
• Identify the issues that are appropriate for mediation
• Break down misunderstandings by opening the lines of communication
• Identify and focus on common interests
• Clarify ways in which the situation could change for the better
• Make their own rules
• Write a mutually acceptable agreement
• Find new ways to manage conflict that can be applied to future problems

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What are some issues that would be appropriate for peer mediation?

• disputes over personal possessions
  
• name-calling
  
• fighting
  
• jealousy
  
• communication
  
• conflicts arising from sports
  
• boyfriend/girlfriend issues

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Who are the mediators?

We encourage drawing peer mediators from all segments of a school population. They may be nominated by teachers and administrators, or may volunteer. After being selected, mediators go through a 15 hour training along with their teacher mentors. Ongoing training typically occurs in support groups with the mediation coordinator and mentors.

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