Evaluating the effectiveness of peer mediation as a way of resolving disputes among children in Britain - Essay Example

Evaluating the effectiveness of peer mediation as a way of resolving disputes among children in Britain Introduction Children's activities with friends might be seen as an aspect of their lives that provide opportunities for self realisation away from adult control. On the other hand, children in groups/gangs have always given rise to adult anxiety and intervention. The development of character and a child's personality is directly influenced by his/her immediate surroundings. Anti-social activities such as arson, ragging, crime, and drop-outs are causes for concern.

Parents find it hard to handle the stigma and are left with little choice but to discard them. On the other hand, those children affected by these atrocities have to fend for themselves. In this session we consider some of the conflicting forces operating on children's peer relationships in contemporary Britain.Peer MediationWhat does the term peer mediation mean Mediation as we all know is the process whereby people involved in a dispute enter into an agreement to sort out their differences through negotiations.

The process is observed by a neutral person and after an amicable solution is arrived at, the two varying parties sign an agreement. The neutral observer neither gives any advice nor imposes a solution.1 This process quite similar to the system devised for schools. In schools though, students are taught the process on similar lines. The students who qualify can register as peer mediators. Students in pairs mediating disputes among other students are what peer mediation is all about. The peers mediate between students who are much younger than them.

Conflict Resolution is a phrase used commonly among the skills and techniques imparted during training. It encompasses a number of approaches, including restorative justice, anti-bullying workshops, peer leadership training, counselling, mentoring, and multicultural programmes dealing with prejudice and stereotypes.2 It is noted that when young people are imparted with proper training and given ample support, they can resolve problems on their own. It is also not a secret that children tend to confide among themselves more than with elders.

3 A study investigating into how school peer support systems worked was funded by The Prince's Trust. 413 pupils between 13 and 14 and between 15 and 16, and 34 teachers in charge of systems and 80 peer supporters in 35 secondary schools were interviewed using structured schedules for the pupils and semi-structured ones for the teachers and peer supporters. The interviews focussed on the respondents' perceptions and experiences of the school's Peer Support System. It also included the perceived benefits to users of the system; benefits to peer supporters; problems with the system and the attempts made to overcome them.

There was widespread support for the systems and a strong sense that both teachers and peer supporters were increasingly confident about the value of their service.4 Working in partnership with pupils as a school-wide priority will significantly enhance the likelihood of achieving the desired goal.ConclusionAdopting this technique of peer mediation within the whole-school approach enables for a more effective allocation of resources- human, financial, and physical. The process is well received by students and teachers alike, and there seems to be a wholehearted and warm response to this practice.

It promotes initiative within the school community, and keeps the students and adults informed about the school's focus. A whole-hearted approach to working with pupils cannot be achieved without a shared understanding of partnership that is complimented by knowledge of structures and strategies to formulate partnerships. Staff members play a pivotal role in teaching the pupils the specific skills that enable them to participate in mediation.5 BibliographyPeer Mediation in the UK, William Baginsky, What peer mediation is, Page 3, http://www.

mediation-eu.net/english/Resources/PeermediationUK.pdfPeer Mediation in the UK, William Baginsky, What peer mediation is, Page 3, http://www.mediation-eu.net/english/Resources/PeermediationUK.pdfPeer Mediation in the UK, William Baginsky, What children are capable of doing for themselves,Page 5,http://www.mediation-eu.net/english/Resources/PeermediationUK.pdfThe Role of Peer Support in Helping the Victims of Bullying in a School with High Levels of Aggression, Helen Cowie, Knowledge, use of and attitudes towards peer support: a 2-year follow-up to the Prince's Trust survey, http://spi.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/21/1/79A whole-school approach to working in partnership with pupils, National College for School Leadership, Page 12, Kaye Johnson, http://www.ncsl.org.

uk/media/981/43/randd-publications-catalogue-2005-06.pdf