SEND Mediation: Improving Your Knowledge, Skills and Practice
A one-day course for local authority officers: an overview of the SEND mediation process, a refresher on key EHCP legislation, and strategies for reaching agreement.
Course Synopsis
The aim of this training course is to provide an overview of the SEND mediation process and refresh participants' understanding of key legislation relevant to EHCP appeals.
The course focuses on the practical role of the local authority officer, offering guidance on effective approaches to mediation and strategies for reaching agreement. Through analysis of the causes of conflict and interactive activities, the course supports participants to maximise outcomes as well as reduce the need for formal mediation.
What This Course Covers
This course will:
• Summarise key legislation relating to SEND mediation
• Build confidence in the process of SEND mediation
• Focus on current challenging issues
• Identify sources of conflict and best techniques for dealing with conflict using mediation skills
• Encourage participants to reflect on and evaluate their own strengths, limitations and performance in relation to the application of SEND mediation
Course Details
For: Local authority officers working in SEND, delivered in groups to a single local authority
Delivery: Online, in person, or hybrid
Duration: One day
Group size: 6–25
Cost: £5,000 per cohort
Dates: As required
Arrange Training for Your Authority
We deliver this course to local authority teams as required. Contact us to arrange a date for your authority.
SEND Mediation: Improving Your Knowledge, Skills and Practice
Authors
Student Feedback
We had been in dispute with the council for over a year. The mediator helped both sides actually listen. We reached agreement in one session.
Parent, West Midlands
I did not think mediation would work, but the mediator was so knowledgeable about the process. We got the provision our son needed.
Parent, London
Outstanding course content and delivery. The practical examples really helped me understand complex concepts.
Client, Manchester
Course Authors
Katie Jolly
Katie is an accredited SEND, family and workplace mediator and trainer, and a member of the College of Mediators, the Family Mediation Council and Resolution. Before training as a family mediator she worked in further education, child protection and family group conferencing. She holds a Masters in Psychology (2016) and FMC Child Inclusive Mediation status (2020). She has volunteered as a mediator for a charity supporting young people at risk of homelessness, as an Appropriate Adult, and currently sits on her local Youth Justice Panel. Across all her work she supports children and young people to have a voice and to have their views taken seriously.
Sophie Webster
Sophie worked in the NHS from 2006, including more than a decade as a community children's physiotherapist specialising in neurology and neuromuscular conditions. That work with children, families and colleagues across education, health and social care underpins her commitment to multi-agency, inclusive practice. Since training as a mediator she has worked mainly in family and workplace mediation, and is also trained in conflict coaching and Family Group Conferencing. At Prime Resolution she leads business development and marketing for family mediation, workplace mediation, supervision and conflict coaching, and is the organisation's Designated Safeguarding Lead. She is particularly concerned that children's voices are heard in decisions that affect them. Outside Prime she is a secondary school governor with responsibility for SEND and safeguarding.
Hugo Besterman
Hugo has completed several hundred SEND mediations since joining Prime Resolution in 2018. Before training as a mediator he taught for 14 years across several types of school, holding senior leadership posts with responsibility for pastoral care. He sits on the board of directors of the College of Mediators and on its SEND Panel, which maintains the professional standards for SEND mediators, and is consulted by the Department for Education on its SEND reforms. At Prime Resolution he oversees the SEND service and the organisation's finances, and presents to education sector stakeholders on using mediation to resolve disputes in schools.
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