We offer a range of Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Conflict Coaching services
What is mediation and how does it work?
- Flexible & Confidential: Mediation is a flexible and entirely confidential process in which the parties in dispute are assisted by an independent third party, the mediator, to resolve their dispute. Put simply, it is a facilitated negotiation process.
- Solution-focused:The parties themselves attend, and participate fully in, the mediation, with or without lawyers or union representatives present. No solution is imposed upon the parties and one of the strengths of the process is that the parties themselves decide the outcome and are only bound by it if they both/all agree to it.
- Voluntary & Without Prejudice: It is a wholly voluntary process and, if a solution cannot be reached, the parties are free to walk away without their legal positions being prejudiced.
- Mutually-agreed Outcomes: A mediator helps each party get their voice heard so they can work towards a solution they find acceptable
- HR, Legal & Union Friendly: I work alongside your HR team and any legal or trade union representatives where appropriate, while offering a confidential, impartial and independent service to the parties involved in mediation.
What types of cases do you typically provide mediation for?
Businesses & Workplaces
- Boardroom / CEO disputes
- Trustee disputes
- Employment Exit / Settlements
- Grievances and Disciplinaries
- Employee / Client disputes
- Line manager / Direct Report conflicts
- Colleague conflicts
- Broken relationships
- Discrimination / Equality Act 2010 disputes
- Employee sickness / mental health
- Performance concerns
- Team dysfunction or breakdown
- Mental health and wellbeing concerns, especially where Occupational Health has recommended mediation
Public Services Sector
- NHS & Social Care conflicts/disputes
- Judicial Reviews {read more}
- Court of Protection mediation
- Mental Capacity Act / DoLs mediation
- Mental Health Act / Care Act mediation
- Local Authority: Provider / Customer disputes; ASB; Community conflict
- Care homes: Family/colleague conflict
- Social housing – tenant/neighbour conflict
- Lasting Powers of Attorney / Family carer disputes
- End of Life Care / Elder Mediation
- Patient/Professional Mediation (via Medical Mediation Foundation)
- Education & Higher Education disputes
Why choose us?
We work alongside HR teams, service managers and solicitors to resolve disputes, difficulties, conflicts and interpersonal challenges. Our work is regulated by the Civil Mediation Council and we are fully insured and DBS checked.
Arabella Tresilian, our lead mediator, has over 20 years experience in management consulting and leadership in the public, private and third sectors. Dubbed ‘the mental health mediator’, by The Mediation Podcast, Arabella has specialist expertise in disabilities, neurodiversity and mental health.
What can Mediation or Team Development do for us in the workplace?
Employment & Workplace mediation agreements might include:
- arrangements for rebuilding working relationships
- agreeing future management / reporting protocols
- acknowledging or apologising for past difficulties
- resolutions to grievance or complaint processes
- terms for an employee’s exit from the organisation
- end to legal proceedings
Whole team functioning ineffectively or in disagreement?
Does mediation feel ‘too much’ or ‘too sensitive’ to embark on?
We facilitate flexible, targeted Team Development sessions to clear the air, reboot working protocols, boost trusting relationships and revitalise team-working
“Resolve team issues before they move to dismissal, resignation or employment tribunal.“
— School of Dialogue
Our Conflict Coaching Services
What is Conflict Coaching?
Conflict coaching is a one-on-one process that develops the individual’s skill at handling conflict, or supports the client in working through a particularly difficult or complex conflict.
When to use Conflict Coaching?
- Where only one party is willing to mediate
- To work through the repercussions of a past conflict
- To build skills at constructively resolving a current conflict
- To prepare for a challenging conversation
- To understand our own conflict style – and learn new approaches
- Improving a significant relationship that is damaged by on-going conflict
- Strategically managing organisational change
- Before, during and/or after mediation
What’s the difference between Mediation and Conflict Coaching?
Mediation
- 2+ parties
- Goal: Resolve and plan for the future
- Mediator’s role: Facilitate process while also coaching parties in 1:1s
- Benefits: Opportunity for both parties to hear each other’s perspective and collaborate on planning a positive future
- 3-6 sessions of up to 3h each, a mix of 1:1s with the mediator, and joint meetings, in-person and/or on Zoom
Conflict Coaching
- Single party
- Goal: Strategies to respond to the conflict
- Mediator’s role: Coach and supporting; sharing tools where appropriate
- Benefits: Empowering space for individuals to learn new approaches they can use themselves, and transfer across their life
- 3-8 sessions of 90mins each, generally on Zoom only.
“The team found the whole experience very positive and helpful – an immense help to them all. They appear to be working together with a more positive and united approach which is helping the rest of the teams to work with them too.”
HR Lead
“Kept things open and calm. Structured well. Many thanks for a safe ‘space’ and thanks for helping us move forward.
Director
“Arabella was supportive and constructive in our preparations for and experience of mediation. Her emphasis on expressing our feelings led to a more positive outcome than we had anticipated.”
Boardmember
When to call us about Workplace Mediation or Team Development
- A team, board or committee is not functioning or performing well
- Two+ employees whose working relations are breaking down
- A manager and direct report struggling to communicate effectively
- A grievance procedure underway or imminent
- A complaint lodged about staff/service from a customer, client or patient
- A dispute between your service and a customer, client or patient
- Seeking to support an employee who has a disability or mental health difficulties
- If you are looking for specialist understanding of neurodiversity or autism
- Questions around your duties as an employer under the Equality Act 2010
- The potential of an employment tribunal, employee / client litigation, or other court proceedings between your organisation and an individual/organisation
- Court proceedings are imminent or have led to a judge recommending mediation
Get in touch
We offer a no-commitment, confidential call to discuss if we can help facilitate a resolution for you and your team.
School of Dialogue 