Training to become a family mediator requires a high level of commitment in terms of time and application.
Having passed the course you will be able to join one of the five family mediation Membership Organisations and register with the Family Mediation Council as working towards accreditation. You will also need to obtain professional indemnity insurance and find a Professional Practice Consultant.
After completing the course, you must have a post training review with your Professional Practice Consultant who will be able to help you reflect on the course and identify what you need to do before you begin to practice as a family mediator.
It is important to try and find an accredited family mediator or mediation service which can offer you opportunities to observe mediation practice and perhaps allow you to work with some of their clients. Some services may charge for providing opportunities for trainees to observe mediations.
To achieve accreditation as a family mediator you will need to achieve a high level of mediation competence through practical experience. This is evidenced by your preparation of a detailed work-based portfolio which generally takes between one and three years to complete. Your Professional Practice Consultant will support you through the accreditation process.
All family mediators must have a Professional Practice Consultant with whom they must meet for supervision for at least four hours each year. Those working towards accreditation must have an additional ten hours supervision before submitting their portfolio for accreditation.
