Accreditation

Australian National Mediator Standards

LEADR is a Recognised Mediator Accreditation Body (RMAB) and has been accrediting mediators to the national standards since January 2008 when the Standards were introduced.

Application form for accreditation by LEADR to the National Standards >>

Frequently asked questions >>

National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) documents

The application form refers to the following two documents:

• Approval Standards for mediators seeking approval under the NMAS >>
• Practice Standards for mediators operating under the NMAS >>
  

Other documents about the Standards:

• Commentary on the Approval Standards >>
• Commentary on the Practice Standards >>
• Report on the National Mediator Standards project >>

The National Mediator Accreditation System was introduced at the beginning of 2008. Background papers to the Standards are available on the WADRA web site: www.wadra.law.ecu.edu.au

A new National Mediator Accreditation Committee supported by NADRAC has been established to implement the NMAS and establish a permanent National Mediators Standard Body in 2010.

LEADR articles about the NMAS

• About the blended process: information or advice? >>
• Advertising as a nationally accredited mediator >>
• LEADR's involvement with the National Standards >>

LEADR Accreditation Scheme

LEADR has accredited mediators under its own Accreditation Scheme for over 10 years and is a recognised accrediting agency for mediators under the Mediation Act which was enacted in the Australian Capital Territory in 1997.

Under the LEADR Accreditation Scheme, dispute resolution practitioners:

• Have their competency assessed objectively
• Are accredited at one of two levels: “Accredited” and “Advanced".
• Are required to show that they have continued to maintain their skills during each 3 year period following initial accreditation.

LEADR Accreditation Committee

The LEADR accreditation program is governed by an Accreditation Committee appointed by and accountable to the LEADR Board. Current members are:

• Sir Laurence Street, KCMG (Chair)
• Hon John Clarke, QC (Vice Chair)
• Dr Malcolm Stuart, business professional
• Ms Carol Powell, mediator (Chair LEADR NZ)
• Ms Franca Petrone, academic and dispute resolution practitioner
• Mr Bradley Chenoweth, mediator and dispute resolution educator.

Levels of accreditation

Dispute resolution practitioners are accredited by LEADR at one of two levels: “Accredited” and “Advanced".

“Accredited” signifies that the person has:

• Completed a LEADR dispute resolution workshop (such as the four or five-day mediation workshop) or a comparable workshop;
  OR
• Completed a dispute resolution training program developed through a recognised institution of higher learning which addresses both the theory and practice of mediation;
  
  AND
• Demonstrated competency by conducting a simulated two-hour mediation which is videotaped and assessed by one or more assessors;
  OR
• Is able to provide other evidence of dispute resolution competency judged by the Accreditation Committee as satisfactory.

Accredited mediators must also meet other requirements specified in the LEADR Accreditation Scheme.

“Advanced” signifies that, in addition to the above requirements, the person has also carried out a minimum of 250 hours of practice – typically 35 or more mediations – with written evaluations attesting to their proficiency from at least 10 of the involved parties.

Dispute resolution practitioners already accredited as of October 1, 2002 under earlier LEADR schemes continue their accreditation but must meet requirements described under Retaining Accreditation (below) to remain accredited.

Applying for Accreditation

To apply for accreditation by LEADR and to the National Standards, download the Accreditation application form here >>

To apply for LEADR Advanced accreditation, download the Advanced accreditation application form here >>

For more information download the full text of LEADR's Accreditation Scheme >> or contact LEADR.

Video assessment

Video assessment is an essential step in becoming LEADR Accredited and/or accredited under the National Mediator Accreditation System.

• The candidate conducts a mediation simulation as the mediator for 1.5-2 hours.
• Volunteers play the role of the two parties in the simulated dispute.
• The simulation is videoed and sent to an assessor for assessment against a set of core mediation competencies.
• Within approximately three weeks we inform you of the outcome.  If assessed as:
  • competent, we invite you to apply for Accreditation (see above) 
  • not yet competent, we send the video to a second assessor.  Depending on the outcome, we invite you to apply for accreditation or to undertake another video assessment.
• We send you a result letter, assessment sheets and a CD of your video within about two weeks.

Who can take the video assessment?

Candidates need to have, either:

• Completed a LEADR mediation workshop, or
• Applied to the LEADR to have their training recognised as having met the knowledge, skills and ethical understandings described by the national accreditation standards (see Levels of accreditation above).

What is the fee?

$539 (inclusive or $49 GST).

Download the flyer with registration form >>

Video assessment dates for 2010 (NEW)

Download the flyer with registration form >>

In New Zealand

For dates of video assessments in New Zealand, click here >>

Retaining accreditation

To retain accreditation, mediators must show that they have continued to maintain their skills during each 3 year period following initial accreditation. Those with standard accreditation must conduct 75 hours of mediation or complete 25 hours of training during this period. Advanced mediators must complete 250 hours of practice, and obtain written evaluations supporting their proficiency from the parties involved in at least 10 matters.

In special cases, the Accreditation Committee can substitute other assessments for retention of accreditation. Those who were already accredited as of October 1, 2002 must meet the requirements described above to remain accredited.

The Accreditation Committee is authorised to conduct a review of any mediator’s accreditation at any time, so that if complaints arise about a mediator, the Committee can determine whether to continue the accreditation. The Committee does not need to disclose the complainant's name to the mediator.

Conflict Coaching Accreditation

Accreditation with LEADR as a conflict coach gives your clients an assurance of quality.

Requirements for accreditation as a confict coach with LEADR

• Before undertaking assessment:
• Completion of an Introductory CINERGY® conflict coaching course of at least 28 hours in duration
  AND
• Completion of the whole model with at least 4 different clients
  (Note: clients may include colleagues, co-workers, friends and family members as well as clients who retain your services)
• Assessment: Completion of a one hour long conflict coaching session that is video recorded and from which you as Coach are assessed as “competent” against the CINERGY® conflict coaching model and competencies. There is a fee of $350 to be assessed. You will only be accredited once you have been assessed as “competent”.  If you receive an assessment of “Not yet competent”, you may complete another assessment session, however this entails further payment.
• Evidence of good character
• Agreement to comply with the Model Standards of Ethical Conduct for Conflict Coaches and any relevant legislation or requirements for particular schemes
• Professional indemnity insurance (or insurance cover provided through employer or statutory scheme), evidence of which is provided to LEADR
• Membership of LEADR.

For more details on the requirements, click here >>

For an application form, click here >>

For the Model standards of ethical conduct for conflict coaches, click here >>

Queries? Let us help

Contact us for more information or assistance.

Telephone: 02 9251 3366
Freecall: 1800 651 650
E-mail: leadr@leadr.com.au

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