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The Civil Mediation Council has introduced new individual membership categories. In this article we look at how the changes will affect new and existing mediators. ProMediate is a Mediation Training Provider training mediators online. To join the merry band of mediators, get in touch!

Summary

The main change involves the introduction of the Associate membership category whereby people who have completed training do not need to have completed observations to join the CMC and conduct mediations.

The new system

Friend of the CMC

A Friend of the CMC is an individual CMC Member who supports the aims and objectives of the CMC, but who does not practise mediation in categories of work that the CMC regulates in England and Wales. These categories are currently Civil/Commercial and Workplace mediation. The CMC also operates a separate regulatory scheme for SEND mediators, along with the College of Mediators.

Regulated Mediator

A Regulated Mediator is an individual CMC Member who supports the aims and objectives of the CMC, and who practises mediation in the categories of work that the CMC regulates in England and Wales (currently Civil/Commercial and Workplace mediation).

Regulated Mediators are either:

– Associate Mediators: those who are trained and practising, and on a path towards CMC Registered Mediator Status

– Registered Mediators: those who have met all the requirements for Associate Mediators and have obtained the necessary Observation and Experience Points.

– CMC Fellows: those who are the most experienced mediators.

Observation Points

Trainee mediators will be interested to know that the current observation system whereby a new mediator had to observe 3 mediations (or 2 and a mock mediation) has been scrapped. The CMC has replaced the requirement for three observations which were needed to become a Registered Mediator with a points system. 10 points must be gained from observing or conducting mediations.

See here for more detail: https://civilmediation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CMC-Observation-Experience-Points-1.2.2021.pdf

In addition, the Registration and Standards Committee are now considering applications on a discretionary basis from people who completed their training prior to 23rdMarch 2020 and have had online observations in-lieu of in-person observations since that date. Anybody who would like their application to be considered under this temporary measure should include a note to this effect on their Observation/Experience points log.

Moving to the new system

Applications for new Associate Mediators can be made, and the system phased in for existing members over the course of the year as memberships come up for renewal. Applications remain open for Registered Mediators. There is no impact for existing Registered Mediators unless they are eligible and choose to apply to become a Fellow.

The new rules

The new membership rules can be found here: https://civilmediation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/CMC-Individual-Membership-Rules-1.2.2021.pdf

Reasons for change

The CMC says that it identified that the previous membership system was successful in demonstrating that mediators had met agreed professional standards through Registered Mediator status, but that it did not have a pathway which allowed mediators who were trained and starting their mediation businesses to follow, in order to become Registered.

 

The new system introduces Associate Mediator status, for mediators meet all the requirements for Registered Status other than having the required observations/experience. This allows mediators who have passed a Registered Training Course, who have insurance, follow an appropriate Code of Practice, have a complaints policy, and maintain CPD to be recognised. The new category will also encourage mediators to join the CMC following training, where they will benefit from learning about appropriate training, support, and best practice from other, more experienced mediators.

 

Associate Mediators are allowed to act as mediators. Although some people believe it is appropriate to wait until they have carried out observations before they start to mediate, the CMC felt it was necessary to recognise that mediation is not a reserved profession, and that people were completing their training and then mediating in any event, without any of the other assurances that Associate Mediators status offers (e.g. insurance) in place.

As a result of recognising that mediators who are practising ought to meet basic requirements, the CMC will only support Regulated Mediators (that is Associate Mediators, Registered Mediators and Fellows) practising mediation in categories that it regulates in England and Wales. At the moment, those categories are Civil/Commercial and Workplace (NB the CMC also operates a different scheme for SEND Mediators, along with the College of Mediators). As a result, those who are CMC Friends (the old individual membership category) should not practise Civil/Commercial or Workplace Mediation in England and Wales.

 

The new Observation and Experience points system has replaced the previous requirement for three observations. This requirement had become more complex over time, with online, mock mediations or volunteering in a community mediation being added as alternatives, and the requirement did not specify anything about the quality of those observations – i.e. that the observations should be of a Registered Mediator or panel member of a Registered Mediation Provider. The new system allows for more flexibility, and strikes a balance between recognising that there are different ways of learning, the opportunities that new technologies bring and in-person observations.

 

 

If you are looking to train as a civil and commercial mediator or as a workplace mediator or simply need some guidance, give us a call on 0203 621 3908 to discuss. Alternatively, visit our website to find out more about our online courses.
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https://www.promediate.co.uk/are-you-looking-to-train-as-a-mediator/

Registered Mediators) will.

 

New Registered Mediators applying through a panel will be required to complete a full Registration Form with the CMC, and attach relevant documentation, rather than complete the shorter form that has been completed until now. Our system will soon be automated, and so this will not create a significant additional burden for our administrative colleagues. This means that the CMC will receive a mediator’s Observation and Experience Log, and check this, before they can become a Registered Mediator, meaning that Registered Mediation Providers don’t have to carry out this check and can rely on the CMC to do this. We will however continue to spot check Registered Mediation Providers they have procedures in place to ensure they check that panel mediators meet CMC’s ongoing requirements such as CPD, as opposed to spot checking those mediators themselves.