Contact CAOS Conflict Management on 020 3371 7507
Become a Mediator with CAOS Conflict Management on our London Training Course
See below for details of when you can become a mediator, trained in the CAOS model of Mediation.
Next CAOS Mediation Skills Training Course (click here for more information):
Next course:
Mon-Weds 12th - 14th May
and
19th - 21st May 2025
The training is held at Key House, 106, High Street, Yiewsley, Middlesex UB7 7BQ (within London Oyster zones in London Borough of Hillingdon).
All days are from 10.00am - 5.00pm and tea/coffee is available from 9.30am
Call us on 020 3371 7507 to discuss the course or use the form below to register your interest.
Here is a video which gives detailed information about our training course:
What past experience or qualifications are needed to become a Mediator?
It can often seem that to become a mediator you need various different academic qualifications such as a background in law, social work or a psychology degree etc.
None of these are requirements to train to be a mediator.
The trainers that provide our mediation course have all had extensive experience in mediation in a range of different fields and extensive experience of training people to become Mediators and are committed to taking the mystery and complexity out of the practice.
Some of our longest standing mediator-trainers do not have a degree - it is not a requirement to become a Mediator.
Once trainees have become a mediator we offer ongoing practice support as well as business development support where this is wanted.
Click here for examples of people who have gone on to develop as individual freelance mediators.
We have also trained people from the following organisations and others where mediation is an ongoing provision either in-house for staff and service users or as a service for members of the public with particular needs:
- The Bridge - Charnwood, Leicestershire
- Wyre Forest Nightstop and Mediation
- Brunel University
- Plymouth University
- Bedford Borough Council
- SOHA Housing Association
- .....and many others
Mediation Training Course Accreditation?
Please be aware of some 'cloudiness' on this issue which we hope our video and links below will help to make more clear.
Please watch this video (5mins 30s) to see our view on accreditation in relation to our mediation training course...
....If, after watching the video above you'd like to read more about the topic of accreditation, or 'qualification' in the mediation world, see also these articles:
Click Here to get the 'low down' on this ambiguous issue in the mediation world.
Alternatively, read this post on 'Mediation Accreditation - Red Herring, Rip Off or Real Sign of Quality?
And finally this very succinct article by Tammy Lenski, a prominent practitioner of mediation as well as author and trainer in the USA where the same 'ambiguities' arise as in the United Kingdom:
You Say You're A Certified Mediator. Says Who? Note the difference between what Tammy says....that of being a 'certified' mediator and that of having a certificate to show completion of a particular training course. There are few situations in which a mediator has a status of 'certified'. Please be clear that you are aware of the difference when choosing your training course. Similarly confusions arise for the term 'qualified'.
At CAOS we provide the CAOS Mediation Practitioners Certificate to attendees who complete our training course.
What is needed to become an effective mediator is a continuous commitment to self-reflection, development of self-awareness, a recognition of others' capacities to create their own answers to their difficulties and a willingness to acknowledge that we all, (including mediators!), struggle with unresolved conflict and communication breakdown and that they can be opportunities for learning, change and growth.
The CAOS approach to mediation training supports a particular approach to unresolved conflict.
Many approaches to unresolved conflict seek to suppress it.
At CAOS we are interested in supporting the creative and constructive expression of conflict.
Many approaches to unresolved conflict seek to avoid it.
At CAOS we are interested in supporting the creative and constructive engagement with conflict.
When you become a Mediator via the CAOS approach to mediation training, you will learn and practise the skills that provide that support.
And you will also be challenged on a personal level:
- To look at how you perceive and respond to conflict.
- To look at how you perceive and respond to others involved in unresolved conflict.
- To look at the personal challenges involved in really walking the talk of what mediation is about
It is important to develop that 'mindfulness' about our own responses to conflict and how we tend to communicate in the midst of a conflict so that we are able to maintain a disciplined approach to our role as a Mediator.
CAOS Conflict Management has helped many people train to be a mediator, whether as individuals intending to develop their own private practice or within organisations such as Brunel University in West London (where we have also trained staff in Conflict Coaching skills) and The Bridge Housing Services in Charnwood, Leicestershire.
Both of these organisations have regularly received our training and support in order to enable them to provide an effective mediation service as part of their operational activity.
But to get started as a Mediator you need more than just to attend a training course.
Click here to find out about some of the potential pitfalls you may encounter in starting a career as a Mediator and click here to find out how CAOS Conflict Management can provide more than just a training course to help you with this.
Return from Train to be a Mediator to Home Page
Join our Online course:
An Introduction to the Philosophies, Principles and Practice of the CAOS Model of Conflict Coaching - Click this link to find out more
A Guide to Effective Communication for Conflict Resolution - How Mindful Communication Supports Growth Through Conflict - available on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.
"I think you put together so well all the essential components of
conflict transformation in a way which people can relate to and
understand. A brilliant book and I will recommend it everyone!"- Jo Berry (www.buldingbridgesforpeace.org)
Purchase this book written by Alan Sharland, Director of CAOS Conflict Management, on Amazon:
Some Testimonials about our training and links to other pages about our
Mediation Skills Training Course…..
"Alan provided excellent training for mediators
at Common Ground Mediation which was challenging but also thoroughly enjoyable.
He led us through various interactive exercises to help us reflect on the mediator's role and impartiality. I would highly recommend Alan as a trainer for mediators."
Morag Steven Director of Common Ground Mediation, Edinburgh, Scotland.
"In my 20 years experience as an academic this is the best ‘in-service’ training I have experienced."
Dr Meretta Elliott -Senior Lecturer-School of Arts-Brunel University
This is what Brian Parry, Group Strategy Director at the Government Central Office of Information, said about our course:
"Very challenging but also excellent opportunity to acquire new skills. The skills are useful not just as a mediator but also in other workplace situations and throughout your life. Training is well thought through/structured over 6 days so you have a chance to learn through trial and error.
Really enjoyed the course and thank you to Alan and Susie for their enthusiasm and encouragement!"
And this is what Chantelle Bramley said, who was training for her role as Mediator at The Bridge Housing Services in Charnwood, Leicestershire:
"I really enjoyed the course. It met my expectations and more. I felt that the environment created by Alan and Susie was very relaxed and trusting. I always felt comfortable, and always felt I was able to ask questions no matter how small/silly they seemed. The small group also meant that i got to know people really well, and this made the role plays/activities comfortable and enjoyable. Thank you Alan and Susie!"
Update from Chantelle, 6 weeks after the course:
"Just a quick update, everything's going really well. I've got 16 open cases at the minute, and on average have two appointments a day!"
Would you like to Train to become a Mediator? Click on the link to find out a bit more about our course.
"I feel like this course is infiltrating into all aspects of my life right now! I'm currently really busy managing a team of students and I think I'm a better listener and a more empowering leader because of the course."
"Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict." - Dorothy Thompson
"It only takes one person to end a war, and you're the one. What a perfect set up!" - Byron Katie