Mediation

Mediation is a confidential and voluntary way to resolve disputes that puts the power of resolution in the hands of the two people involved. Issues referred to mediation are not resolved by the mediator, but by those directly involved in the dispute.

The mediators offer support and guidance that keeps the dialogue open and the problem-solving moving.

Goldsmiths has a team of staff professionally trained to resolve disagreements. All have received training in 'Understanding Workplace Mediation Theory and Practice' and have been awarded Level 3 accreditation by the Open College Network, London.

The mediators will work on conflicts between members of staff, between students, and between a staff member and a student.

What happens at mediation

The mediator will contact you a week or two before the mediation day. This is to explain what happens on the mediation day, answer any questions you might have, and to explore what goals you have for the mediation. It’s also an opportunity for the mediator to check that the situation is appropriate for mediation.

On mediation day, each party will have two individual meetings in separate rooms with the mediators during the morning. In the afternoon they will come together for a joint meeting. The day usually lasts from 9am - 5pm.

By the end of the mediation meeting the two parties will have hopefully drawn up a written agreement, facilitated by the mediators. The agreement is confidential and the parties involved decide together whether to share the contents of the agreement.

The process can be difficult and tiring, and the mediators will do their utmost to support both parties every step of the way. They will listen carefully to what you say and ask lots of questions.

They maintain a neutral and impartial approach throughout the process and will not make any judgments or determine who is to blame, and we will not offer solutions – it’s up to the parties involved to find the solutions.

A month or so after the mediation, either a follow-up phone call or a meeting will be held to see how the agreement is working.

Accessing mediation

Anyone considering using mediation will need to have a referral form completed by either their Head of Department or Tutor.

Once both parties have agreed to mediation, their details will be sent to the Mediation Coordinator who will arrange a mutually convenient day when the mediation can take place.

If necessary the Mediation Coordinator will speak to the other party and explain to them that a request has been made to go to mediation. A full explanation will be given of what mediation is, and they will be given the opportunity to ask questions, after which they will be able to decide if they wish to go ahead. If they do not wish to take part, we cannot proceed with the mediation. 

If you would like to discuss the mediation process, call the Mediation Coordinator on 020 7919 7951 or email mediation (@gold.ac.uk).

Confidentiality

Parties sign a confidentiality agreement when entering into mediation. Mediators will not disclose anything that has been said during mediation without your permission.

A copy of the final agreement signed by both of you may only be shared in whole or in part with another if you both agree to it.

Any practical elements of the agreement will need to be shared to ensure the College can act upon them, eg. withdrawal of a formal complaint, or a change in supervisor.

All notes from mediation will be destroyed at the end of the process and mediators will not provide evidence at any formal complaint process.