Delivery Style
- Programme starting 13 May 2025- Blended [4 days classroom (13 May 2025, 11 June 2025, 10 September 2025, 05 November 2025) / 8 days online]. Venue for classroom days: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
- Programme starting 11 November 2025- Blended [4 days classroom (11 November 2025, 03 December 2025, 18 February 2026, 15 April 2026) / 8 days online]. Venue for classroom days: Ibec, 84-86 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2
Summary
Advance your career path in Mediation with this applied learning Diploma in Mediation. Conflict can occur in any employment relationship, and it is best dealt with early. If left unchecked it can escalate, potentially leading to larger disputes and costly tribunals. Mediation avoids these more formal avenues by helping participants to reach an agreement in a more informal and constructive manner.
This course introduces participants to the concept of mediation, its use in settling disputes and conflict and how best to introduce mediation into an organisation for effective conflict resolution. It also equips participants with a range of skills useful, in both conflict resolution and many other interpersonal situations including people management. With the introduction of the Mediation Act, 2017, this is an area has gained increasing momentum and this course provides the ideal preparation.
At the end of the programme participants will be able to:
- Explain and demonstrate with confidence the differences between mediation, arbitration, conciliation and other approaches to dispute resolution
- Articulate the process and skills involved in mediation and have demonstrated this in practice.
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of using mediation and where to apply appropriately in an organisation
- Understand the behavioural differences between individuals and how conflict is dealt with in different ways with real life examples
- Know the characteristics necessary for effective mediators and apply this learning to your roles
- Understand and practise an ethical approach to mediation using role plays to enhance your role as an effective mediator
- Adapt and practice a range of skills for effective conflict resolution and gain an insight into one’s own approach to conflict and how to hone this more effectively in the workplace
This programme is for:
Those who wish to develop mediation skills for application in their area of work, for developing a career in mediation, or as a general developmental opportunity, particularly in understanding people and cultivating listening and concentration capabilities.
Those in Human Resource Management or the Management team who want to add to their management and people management skills.
Approach
This programme is delivered over a series of 12 full day sessions spread over 7 months to fit in with a full-time work schedule. A learning environment is created which is supportive, encouraging and welcomes participation to support learning and applying it in practice.
Accreditation & Submissions
This course is fully accredited by the Mediators Institute of Ireland for Associate membership level and has academic accreditation by the Technological University Dublin. An optional extra day will be arranged for those who may be interested in proceeding to Certified membership level of the MII. To achieve cpd Level 6 NFQ accreditation by TU Dublin, this course is assessed by exam and assignment submissions. Individual assessments are an integral part of the programme and count towards end of year results as follows:
Module 1:
- Project; 2500-3000 words 50%
- Role play 30%
- Learning Journal 20%
Module 2:
- Project; 2500-3000 words 50%
- Exam 30%
- Learning Journal 20%
70% attendance is required.
Programme Schedule
Mediation Process and Skills
- Different mediation contexts
- Characteristics of a proficient mediator
- The mediation process
- Tasks required at each stage of the process
- Demonstration of a mediation case
- A range of skills is introduced and
- Participants practice each skill as well as
- Integrating these skills into a mediation
- Role play
- Dealing with barriers and impasse
Mediation and the Organisation
- Why people fight and what to do about it
- The cost of conflict
- Approaches to conflict resolution
- Uses of mediation:
- Employment – bullying and harassment, discrimination, grievance and discipline, performance management, personality clashes, change management.
- Supplier relationships
- Customer complaints handling
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Commercial – viable alternative to litigation
- Medical negligence
Mediation and the Organisation cont'd
- Ombuds schemes
- Systems thinking – one change affects the whole system
- Mediation and leadership
- Advantages of using mediation as a business strategy – the business case
- Conflict analysis
- Resolution systems
- Managing change and dealing with impasse
- Mediation ‘fit’ with organisational
- Culture
- The legal system and mediation
Accredited Partner
Collaborating since 2008 to deliver pragmatic education to support careers and organisational development
Programme Facilitator
Brendan Schutte
Brendan is a consultant and trainer with over 20 years’ experience in human resource management, development and employee relations in the areas of manufacturing, services, education and healthcare.
As one of the most experienced workplace mediators in Ireland and the UK, Brendan has developed and run numerous mediation skills courses. He is an effective facilitator for multiparty group discussions in industrial relations, strategic planning, team building and other workplace scenarios.
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