The range of services below can be adapted to your specific needs, and can be delivered via face-to-face, video-conferencing or phone (or a mix of modes).

Mediation… allows those involved in the dispute to find their own solutions with the help of an impartial mediator. Unlike the adversarial legal process, mediation is more about finding workable decisions for the future rather than who’s to blame for what’s happened.  Mediation can involve one or more sessions and is ‘privileged’, which means the content cannot be used in any future court process (with a few exceptions). The mediator won’t dictate outcomes, but can help parties to come to an informed decision, and help ensure issues are fully explored. Mediation for workplace conflicts can be particularly helpful if it is undertaken early,  informally and between those directly involved.

Mediation involves an initial private meeting with each party (approx. 1hr), and then a joint session with all parties together (3-6hr).

Family Dispute Resolution (FDR)… is a type of mediation, but focuses on family related issues – children, property and finances. There are specific situations when FDR is compulsory, although FDR can be helpful even if you don’t think you and your ex-partner will need to hand over the decision-making about your family matters to the court. The process is similar to a standard mediation, and usually involves two meetings: a private one with each person; then a joint meeting to discuss issues and negotiate outcomes. Resolving family disputes and finding ways to communicate is particularly important where children are young, and separated co-parenting will continue for many years. Research is very clear on the impact of parental conflict on children; it is in their best interest that parents work positively together on parenting, even though they have separated.

FDR involves an initial private meeting with each party (approx. 1hr), followed by a joint session with all parties together (3-6hr). Sometimes an additional joint session is required.

Parenting Coordination… Parental conflict can be highly damaging for children’s long-term outcomes. Parenting Coordinators are professionally trained practitioners who work with separated or divorced parents to help them with the practical day-to-day implementation of court orders and parenting agreements.  The focus is on helping find effective strategies for dealing with parenting conflict and to redesign your relationship from partners to co-parents.

The intervention can last 12-18 months, and sessions are usually monthly (approx. 1.5hr). Your Parenting Coordinator can also be available at short notice to help resolve immediate child-related disputes (additional fees apply).

Coaching… is a one-to-one process, where  individuals clarify what’s important to them, and work on action plans to make changes, or reach goals. The ‘conflict’ may be an internal conflict about career choices, a conflict with another person,  getting ready for mediation, or working through big issues to make an important decision. Coaching sessions are confidential, and usually span across 3-6 sessions (depending on the issue).

Facilitation… involves groups who need to make important decisions, or work through issues where there is disagreement. It can be helpful for an impartial person who focuses on ensuring everybody has time and space to speak and listen, and who is not involved in the conflict or the decision. Facilitations usually involve individual discussions (by phone, or in person) and then one or two group sessions.

 

Restorative Conversations… where harm has been caused and acknowledged it can be healing and beneficial to all parties to have a structured, honest, robust conversation about what has happened, the impact it has had, and find ways to move forward (which may or may not include restoration of relationships).

Conflict System Design, Review and Evaluation… is beneficial for small or large organisations regardless of the stage of development. Process review includes informal and formal dispute resolution strategies, processes and procedures.

Capability/ Professional Development… is about individuals and groups developing their knowledge and skills in managing conflict and improving communication skills. Programs are customised for specific organisational needs, and involve group training sessions and workshops, individual coaching and working with supervisors and managers of participants.