The aims and objectives of the Service are to:
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Promote mediation and other conciliatory methods of conflict resolution.
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Increase community awareness and understanding of mediation.
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Work in partnership with our referring partners and other agencies.
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Provide a high quality client focused Service and deliver our Service Standards.
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Ensure that mediators work to the highest professional standards, within the best practice guidelines and the principles of mediation.
You can find more information on the following topics:
Neighbour disputes
Falkirk Council's Antisocial Behaviour Strategy (PDF, 646KB)| promotes early intervention and mediation to resolve conflict, improve communication and build strong interactive communities.
Our service
We provide a high quality, client focused Service to neighbours in dispute. Professional Mediators facilitate communication to empower individuals to reach mutually acceptable agreements and increase individuals self-capacity to manage conflict constructively.
Mediation Service principles
Falkirk Mediation Service will act in accordance with best practice and the principles of mediation. Mediation is a voluntary process and clients must be willing to negotiate and reach agreements through the mediation process for mediation to be effective.
Independent
We will provide an independent Service to the residents of Falkirk and will communicate our independence through our working practices.
Impartiality
We will act in an impartial manner, we will not take sides or discriminate against any person, we will be non judgemental in our approach to ensure equality and to encourage participation.
Confidentiality
The principle of confidentiality is extremely important throughout the mediation process to provide our clients with confidence, safety and privacy. The exceptions to this policy on confidentiality include, allegations relating to child protection concerns or allegations relating to criminal activity or fraudulent behaviour.
If allegations of this nature are disclosed during the mediation process, the Mediators will be obliged to pass this information to the appropriate agency and withdraw from the mediation process. All clients will be informed of this policy when entering into the mediation process.
Data Protection Act 1998, requirements will be adhered to within the case management procedures.
Equality and empowerment
We will ensure that all clients are supported to participate in the mediation process and we will encourage clients to take control of the situation to strengthen their self capacity to manage conflict constructively. The Mediation Service will adhere to Falkirk Council's Equal Opportunity and Racial Harassment Policies.
Partnership working
We will work together with agencies, including Social Work, Local Housing Services, the Health Board and Development Services as appropriate. We will support the exchange of information with other agencies, as appropriate, in line with our policy on confidentiality.
Monitoring and evaluation
We will actively encourage clients to provide feedback on Service Delivery to support our aim to provide an accountable and quality Service. We will implement effective management information systems and reports will be produced on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.