FMA Training available to members/non-members

All of our courses are organised in-house. Details of the courses may be found on this website or through our administrators Northern Networking Events at www.northernnetworking.co.uk. Please support your membership organisation by undertaking FMA courses.
 
To view FMA trainers biographies please click here.
 
Family Mediation Training for 2012 – offered by Family Mediators Association
CPD POINTS - 1 day (Full) course - 5 CPD
                      1/2 day course - 3 CPD
                      2 Day course - 12 CPD

Family Mediation Foundation Training programmes

Eight-day course set over three modules and with the opportunity to observe or co-mediate before completion of your training.
 
Module I Three Days Intensive Training followed by a written assignment.
 
Module II Three Days Intensive Training followed by two written assignments.
Successful completion of Module II and the two written assignments, enables trainees to begin co-mediating and to apply for membership of the Family Mediators Association before completing Module III. This enables the trainee to gain some practice, either by way of observation or co-mediation whilst training and to incorporate that experience into their learning.
 
Module III Two Days Intensive Training. The content of the final two days is tailored to meet the training needs of the trainees as determined by the trainers following the performance of the trainees during the first two Modules and the written assignments.

On average, newly qualified mediators are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours co-mediation before being able to practice solely as a family mediator.
 
* On completion of the FMA Foundation training, the mediator is entitled to FMA membership for the remainder of the membership year, PPC allocation and 1st hour PPC fee.
 
Registration is now open for the following courses:
 
London - 3-5 July, 22-24 July and 12-13 September 2013
Trainers are Ruth Smallacombe and Gaynor Walsh. Cost £2760 (incl. VAT) - Register online
 
Leeds- 18-20 September, 22-24 October and 18-19 November 2013 (please note a change to the final 2 days from 21-23 Nov to 18-19 Nov 2013)
Trainers are Neil Robinson and Beverley Sayers. Cost £2640 (incl VAT) - Register online
 
Bristol - 13-15 November 2013, 11-13 December 2013 and 23-24 January 2014
Trainers TBC. Cost £2640 (incl VAT) - Register online
 

FMA Law and Practice Update Days 2013 - "Life after LASPO"

Trainer is Neil Robinson. 
 
Last year across the country, FMA members almost unanimously gave this course and trainer full marks for tutor knowledge, presentation and content. Most appreciated were “the exchange of ideas with the guidance and benefit of Neil’s experience, the mixture of discussions, reference to cases and precedent, and the chance to reflect and see links to new approaches.” As ever, Neil’s approach will be to use materials – prepared by Prof Chris Barton, FMA Vice President - as a framework from which conversation can develop about the things that matter most to you as practitioners in this time of great upheaval.
 
AIMS:
  • To equip mediators with the knowledge and resources to face the seismic changes in the delivery of family justice from April 2013 onwards
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  • Receive an authoritative update of developments in family law and practice, within the context of dialogue, not lecture
  • Share experience of and best practice in referral to mediation and other FDR options and how this will change after April 2013
  • Develop a better awareness of the highest ethical standards in the delivery of FDR
  • Highlight personal development needs in the context of group discussion and role play (unassessed)
  • Gain a greater understanding of the “hot topics” in family mediation and where to find out more
TO INCLUDE:
An Update of Law and Practice
  • Children Law and Practice – the Children and Families Bill – second reading, and pre-legislative scrutiny
  • Financial Update
  • The Modernisation Programme
Looking at markets and opportunities post April 2013
  • Pre-assessments, Assessments and other strategies
  • Post Willingness Test and Funding Code cost effectiveness
  • Pathways and packages following the Family Justice Review
  • Help with Mediation and other “opportunities”
  • Eligibility and pricing for private and publicly funded clients
  • Wither the Information Hub?
  • A “post Miams training” masterclass in engaging clients ethically and effectively
  • What is the theoretical and ethical basis for our engagement with prospective clients?
Manchester 21 May 2013 - Register here
Member £180, Non Member £252

Through a Narrative Lens
Trainer - Michael Jacobs
Narrative Mediation sees conflict as embedded in the stories we tell. As mediators, we readily recognise the problematic nature of the stories that our clients bring into the room. Less well recognised are the stories that we as practitioners tell and believe: about our role, purpose and practice. From a narrative perspective, understanding how these stories shape both our expectations and experience is critical to understanding what it is we do – and why we do it.   
 
This one day course will explore some key concepts from Narrative Mediation, including:
 
·         The idea of ‘positioning’
·         Essentialism & Social Construction
·         Externalising
·         Written correspondence
 
While the day is not designed to train narrative mediators, it will provide a range of useful tools and techniques that can be used with clients. More importantly, it will provide a perspective that allows us to reflect on our current ways of thinking and practice.
 
The workshop will consist of a mixture of presentation, discussion and opportunities for practice. A short article on Narrative Mediation will be distributed as pre-course reading.
 
Bristol - 31st October 2013 - Register here

 

Member rate £180, Non member rate £252
 

Managing Conflict 

Trainer - Michael Jacobs
Conflict is contagious. It may be our clients who bring it into the room, but it is not long before we too are caught up in it. Once infected, we inevitably become part of the problem. How does this happen? And more importantly, what can we do about it? The day is both conversational and experiential -- a chance to share both ideas and practice.
 
London - 7th November 2013 - Register here
Member rate £252, Non member rate £324

 


 
Other training courses  - Coming soon...

Domestic Abuse

Trainer - Judi Lyons 
 
The purpose of this 1/2 day workshop is to consider the issues around DV for mediators, both in working solo and in a tandem model.
 
Please note that from September 12, 2012, the government have widened the definition of domestic abuse, to cover psychological intimidation and controlling behavior as well as applying this to victims under the age of 18 years. So for example, it means that acts such as preventing partners from leaving the house, or having access to a telephone, can also lead to prosecution.
 
The government are hoping that by broadening the definition it will increase awareness in the public of the extent of domestic abuse and those men and women who are suffering as a result of such acts.
 
This therefore has further implication for mediators, not just in screening for actual physical abuse, but considering physychological intimidation of partners. The course will address these issues in addition to the "traditional" understanding of domestic abuse
 
Dates for 2013 will be confirmed shortly.
 

PPC Foundation Training

The PPC foundation training is a two day intensive course, lecture room bases with role play, assessment, case discussion and debate.  The course is comprehensive, incorporating current requirements; it is stimulating and thought provoking.  An essential course for the development of the experienced mediators advanced training.
 
If you are an experienced practising family mediator with senior mediator status, you may be eligible to enter the PPC foundation training.  Prior to attending the course you must obtain the written support of your own PPC.  If you would like to support fellow family mediators in their private and publicly funded practice.  Completion of the course leads to recognition as a PPC.
 
Dates for 2013 to be confirmed
 
These courses are not currently planned for the remainder of 2013:
 

Essential Legal and Financial Issues for Non Lawyer Mediators 

 
Aims and objectives of the course:
  1. To provide non-lawyer mediators, or lawyer mediators who have not practised law for some years or have practised another area of law, with some basic knowledge of the law governing the resolution of property and financial issues.
  2. To enable them to answer client’s requests for legal information.
  3. To enable them to identify legal issues so that they know when it is appropriate to provide information and/or to refer clients to their legal advisors for advice.
  4. To empower them to explore workable options with their clients, confident that those options are legally valid.
  5. To assist them to draft summaries that will reflect clients’ proposals in a way that will assist their legal advisers to
This course has already ran in 2013.
 

Direct Consultation with Children - Trainers are Ruth Smallacombe and Jenny Haslam

This two day intensive course, delivered by use of presentations, case discussions, role-plays and group exercises, meets the requirements of the Family Mediation Council for those wishing to directly consult with children in mediation. 
 
Open to experienced family mediators and collaborative practitioners with experience in dealing with children who wish to acquire the skills and techniques required to consult directly with children as part of their family mediation practice in appropriate circumstances following FMA policy, and as a child consultant within Collaborative Practice.
 
This course has already ran in 2013.
 

Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAMs) Training Days - Trainers are Neil Robinson and Beverley Sayers

 
From 6 April 2011, all applicants to court on Family proceedings have been expected to demonstrate that they have already considered the option of mediation, by attending a Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM). Respondents will also be expected to have considered mediation. The guidelines were laid down in the Pre Application Protocol, and updated in December 2012, with legislation to make this a requirement now in the Children and Families Bill.
 
Recognition criteria for mediators carrying out MIAMs have been agreed by FMC and recently trained mediators and those who fall into "Category C" now require a day's  training and assessment in order to be able to conduct MIAMs.
 
FMA's one day courses provide an opportunity for everyone to think about how they might develop their practice to maximise the opportunity for clients to resolve disputes through Family Dispute Resolution. There will be two experienced trainers - usually Beverley Sayers and Neil Robinson - on each course, which will have a maximum number of participants so as to aid dialogue and role play.
 
FMA therefore recommends in any event that all mediators, however experienced, consider attending this one day assessment training, as a refresher or reintroduction to the specific ethical issues raised by assessment responsibilities. If in doubt, discuss with your PPC.
 
This course has already ran in 2013.
 
Assessment of Professional Competence Scheme (APC scheme) 
Trainer - Dominic Raeside
 
On the 5 April 2012 the FMC wrote to Member Organisations regarding the Single Accreditation Scheme (APC) and stated “in line with the recommendations of both the final report of the Family Justice Review, chaired by David Norgrove and the interim report of the independent FMC review carried out by Professor John McEldowney, the FMC is considering the development of a compulsory single accreditation scheme for family mediators.  This would give all mediators, whether undertaking publicly funded or privately funded work, a basic qualification of professional competence. ‘”
 The new FMC APC scheme was approved and came into operation in May 2012.  What does this mean for family mediators undertaking the APC scheme and for PPC guiding supervisees? 
The provision of a single accreditation for public and private family mediation has implications for all mediators and PPCs.  This course is essential for all PPCs and for family mediators interested in preparing for the scheme.  PPCs and family mediators will be competently briefed in matters related to the APC scheme and the move towards a common standard.
The course presenter is Dominic Raeside the internal verifier of the APC scheme.
 
This course has already ran in 2013.
 
 
PPC Best Practice Training Day
The FMA are holding a series of best practice days for qualified PPCs.  PPC's are crucial to the implementation of best practice, supervision of mediators, implementation of standards and working with mediators toward the completion of the Family Mediation Council competence assessment for the provision of publicly funded work. 
 
Following the publication and recommendations of the Family Justice Review it is clear that mediation will be a key feature of the family justice system in years to come.  The PPC is pivotal in that role and best practice days ensure that the PPC is aware of current changes and updates and is able to support their mediators in the most effective way. Click here for further information.
 
This course has already ran in 2013.
 
Suitability for Mediation 
Trainer - Beverley Sayers
 
The decision whether to mediate is both at the heart of the assessment process and throughout the mediation itself. When are cases not appropriate, and if we do take a calculated risk and mediate, how do we best proceed? Such issues are particularly challenging when issues of mental health, client capacity, drugs or alcohol are part of a clients presentation.
 
This is a 1/2 day training course and with the Monring session from 10am - 1pm and Afternoon session from 2pm - 5pm.
 
There are no scheduled dates for this course
 

Mediator refresher training - For non practising mediators who wish to return to practice

Under the Pre –application protocol (PAP), non-practising mediators who wish to conduct the Mediation Information and Assessment Meetings (MIAMs) will be required to attend an approved refresher training course (as well as other competence criteria).
 
There are no scheduled training dates planned, however if you require a refresher course please contact the FMA administration office (details below).

 

For more information on training contact The Administration Office:
Tel: 01355 244 594
Fax: 01355 249 959

To book please click the link next to your desired course or alternatively the Administration office can email you a registration form to complate manually. FMA will no longer take registrations over the telephone.

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