Mediation Service

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

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 9:00am – 5:00pm.

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.

All notes from the mediation day, including those taken by both parties and the mediators, are destroyed.

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