Mediation

Consultants/Facilitators
Employment advice and conciliation
GVOC's role
Other options
Professional mediation services
Sources of help



GVOC’s role as an Independent Intermediary
This policy is intended to provide clarification for GVOC staff and member organisations on the assistance that GVOC can provide when communication breaks down or when disagreements arise in voluntary organisations.

GVOC is not in a position to provide a mediation or arbitration service for voluntary groups in Gateshead. This is because:

Our staff are not trained or qualified to carry out this task.
There are insurance and legal implications

While there are occasions when an independent body is needed to mediate or arbitrate, our role is to encourage organisations to deal with difficulties themselves, as they arise.

GVOC staff can:

Listen impartially and explore the situation within the boundaries of GVOC’s confidentiality policy.
Offer relevant advice on good practice in areas such as employment, staff and volunteer management, resolving conflict and Charity Law, Or suggest sources or specialist advice on Employment Law, Charity Law.
Provide training on good practice in Voluntary Organisations, with the aim of preventing disputes from arising in the first place
Provide information to groups about mediation and arbitration services available
Where resources permit, offer training in good practice in Employment and conflict resolution.

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Sources of help with disputes in voluntary organisations
Information compiled by GVOC’s Mediation sub group, October 2002

Professional Mediation Services

CEDR / NCVO
A Professional mediation service for the Voluntary Sector is provided by CEDR (Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution) in partnership with NCVO (the National Council for Voluntary Organisations).
A leaflet giving an explanation of the service, and costs is available from CEDR: 020 7536 6000 or email. A free video is also available from CEDR or NCVO, and one is held in GVOC resource room.
Costs: These are on a sliding scale, depending on the size of the organisation. For an organisation with an income of less than £250,000 per annum, the charge for a typical mediation lasting five hours, would be £150 plus VAT. (There may also be some travel costs to be met).

Re: Solution
Tel (0191) 256 6242 or email. A private consultancy offering mediation and conflict prevention between individuals and groups, based in Tyneside.
Costs: £25 per hour, but open to discussion. Also training in conflict resolution in the workplace.

Anderson Binks Mediators
Based in Morpeth, both mediators are trained as Family Mediators, but have recognised the need for mediation to help organisations.
Costs: A free initial meeting is offered, but charges then are about £90 per person, per session of one and a half hours.

Paradigm
Staff mediation services for the workplace, Neil Campbell. Leaflet says “offers a modern, creative and constructive resolution to workplace disputes, conflicts, bullying and harassment”.
Tel (0191) 2845676 or email.

Gateshead Mediation Service
This is a neighbourhood mediation service, available where one party to a disagreement is a tenant of Gateshead Council. Free.

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Other consultants / facilitators

NACVS has a directory of consultants, many of whom have some expertise in mediation. This is available from their web site: www.nacvs.org.uk and a hard copy is available in the GVOC’s resource room. May be a suitable option if conflict is arising as a result of organisational change. Some funders who are interested in Capacity Building for Voluntary Organisations may be willing to fund this.

Lynn Howard (Consultancy and Training Services, known to GVOC from her training service) lists mediation amongst the services she offers – for further details: tel 01670 818392 or email.

Employment advice and conciliation

ACAS can offer impartial telephone advice to either party in an employment dispute and will also signpost to other relevant sources of advice. They are also able to give an opinion on written statements of terms and conditions, disciplinary and grievance policies and other policies relevant to employment matters.
ACAS offers a conciliation service, once an application has been made to an employment tribunal. This can be on the telephone and in person and is aimed at assisting the parties to reach an agreement as an alternative to the tribunal.
ACAS will also work with employers who are introducing a change in terms and conditions and pay structures, to ensure the process is managed fairly and agreement can be reached.
Costs: The above services are free. ACAS also run training for small employers on Employment Practice but do charge for this.

Unison and other unions
Unison members can get help with mediation and representation from Union personnel, trained in these areas.

Gateshead Citizens Advice Bureau
Tel: 0191 477 1392
Provide advice on employment law to both employers and employees and can provide assistance with informal negotiations.

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Other options to consider:

Reducing the Risks of Disputes
Reviewing policies and procedure e.g. disciplinary, grievance, appeals and general complaints. Model policies are available but it is also important that those responsible for implementing the policies feel fully confident that they can apply them, as sometimes they are only referred to once a problem arises. Much can be achieved by ensuring that people know and understand what the policies say and thus have the confidence and courage to make the sometimes difficult decisions that sometimes have to be made.

Insurance
It is possible to take out insurance that would help to cover the organisation’s legal costs in the case of an employment tribunal or other litigation. Some policies extend to cover compensation awards when an organisation loses a case.

Budgeting for Mediation services or consultancy
Management Committees could include an amount in their budget for professional fees so that they could meet the costs of Mediation Services or consultancy if needed.

Publications
Dealing with Disputes in Voluntary Organisations: An Introduction; Linda Laurance and Anne Radford, NCVO £5.00. A copy is held in the resources room.

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