London SEN Mediation Service
The London SEN Mediation Service was developed by the former London SEN Regional Partnership following pilot work in the West London sub-regional group and a research visit to the United States.
The service uses mediation techniques to resolve disputes
between parents and schools/authorities about identification of and provision
for special educational needs.
Mediators employed by the service are independent of local authorities and
have all received extensive trianing in mediation techniques and special
educational needs issues. Many of the mediators hold internationally recognised
accreditation.
The London SEN Mediation Service is now run by the children's charity KIDS independently of the London Regional Partnership. Referrals can be made by parents/carers directly to the service by telephoning 0207 837 2900
In addition to mediation serices, the SEN Mediation
Service provides a range of training opportunities for local authority
and school personnel.
The majority of London authorities subscribe to the service.
Visit the London SEN Mediation Service website to find out more.
Training materials
The London SEN Partnership also produced video training materials - "SEN
Disagreement Resolution in Action" to inform LEAs, schools and parents
about mediation as a form of disagreement resolution, to explain how it
works and to highlight the benefits of mediation.
DfES adopted the pack as national training materials and
copies are available from
DfES Publications
PO Box 5050, Sherwood Park, Annesley, Nottingham, NG15 0DJ
tel 0845 6022260 fax 0845 6033360
email dfes@prolog.uk.com
Quote reference 0262/2002
Web-based information and training materials which have also
been developed by the Partnership are available on the dedicated
SEN Mediation in Action website