Sarah Teather says Mediation works eg West Midlands - your experience?

[discodad]

I'm reading some comments Sarah Teather made in a debate in Hansard from 30 March - I know how to have a good time on a Friday night. She said

In the Green Paper, we point to some examples of good practice, particularly in the west midlands. Independent mediation there has made a real difference to the solutions that parents are being given, and people have not had to go through the tribunal process. Parents were happier because they had much better conversations with local providers.

Has anyone in the West Midlands gone through mediation recently - and if so, was it effective?

The text is here, column 92WH
bit.ly/e5jo1q

I don't live in the west midlands but in the east midlands. I have entered into mediation with the LA who were found by the LGO to have not entered into the process quickly enough (they kept ignoring my requests even when their own internal stage 3 complaints panel recommended they should).
The LA have since ignored the agreements reached, so not sure we acheived anything and am back complaining that they haven't stuck to the agreements, seemingly just using the process to avoid committing their resources. I think it sucks, and whilst I support the idea of mediation, I don't see how LA's will be policed to ensure they don't abuse the process.