Hi, are there any family mediators on here? Looking for advice as I'm considering training for accreditation.
I am a fairly experienced mediator in the Special Educational needs field, but I've not been practising for a few years (working in admin currently.)
I'm considering undertaking the training to qualify as a Family Mediator (now my youngest has started school) but I have no contacts in this area.
As I do not have a legal background, how do you develop the necessary knowledge in Family Law? (I'm assuming the training is only to develop mediation skills).
Is there a difference to the types of mediation a family solicitor would be undertaking as opposed to a non-legally trained mediator?
I'd like to focus on facilitating agreements for divorcing parties, not general family disputes/conflicts. I like the solution focused, pragmatic advice aspect of mediation best.
I want to be confident this is something I could get work in and do well at before investing any money in training.
One of my concerns/confident issues is that I do receive comments about my "lack of assertiveness" in general life. This is something I'm getting much better at as I approach 40.
But a part of me wonders if I'm not sufficiently "alpha" enough/too gentle to be really effective as a mediator, as inevitably there will be some dominant aggressive usually male parties involved, and wonder if someone equally dominant is better for this.
I do think I have very good qualities as a mediator but wish I could shadow someone currently practising or get a more in depth idea before deciding.
Any advice gratefully received!