Criteria for Accredited Family Mediators

STANDARDS OF PRACTICE ONGOING

  1. The development of Standards, the operational context within which the Code of Professional Conduct (Ethics) should function in practice, is a complex and difficult matter.
  2. The OAFM is acutely aware of the ultimate need to certify competence in mediation practice in order to maintain the integrity of the process. However, due to the variety and divergent backgrounds of its practitioners, the unevenness in quality and availability of training, and the very recent emergence of mediation as a distinct profession, we believe that it would be premature to attempt to evaluate the competence of Accredited Family Mediators at this time.
  3. Experience and outcome research will eventually provide the best information as to what constitutes high quality in mediation practice. At that point a certification process will be more appropriate.
  4. OAFM does, however, have minimum standards of practice including education, training,supervision and experience.

AREAS OF COMPETENCE

In order to qualify for and maintain membership in the OAFM as an "Accredited Family Mediator" an applicant member must satisfy the Association that he or she possesses the qualifications set out below, and provide proof of:

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION:

Applicants must provide:

  1. proof of a university degree, or
  2. proof of having attained FMC certification, or
  3. proof of extensive professional experience in mediation or a closely associated field (minimum of 10 years)

KNOWLEDGE OF FAMILY MEDIATION THEORY AND SKILLS:

A basic knowledge of family mediation theory and skills is essential. For the purpose of application for membership, or continuing membership, an applicant/member must have completed:

  1. Sixty (60) hours of family mediation education including a 40 hour family mediation training course and 20 hours of family mediation skills training.
    1. The 40 hour family mediation training course must be taught by an OAFM accredited mediator or approved by the OAFM, or equivalent. The family mediation training course must include a minimum of five hours in each of the following categories:
      1. Conflict resolution theories;
      2. Psychological issues in separation, divorce, family dynamics, and power imbalances;
      3. Issues and needs of children in separation and divorce;
      4. Mediation process and techniques including role play;
      5. Family Law including custody, support, asset evaluation and distribution, taxation as it relates to separation and divorce; and
      6. Family economics (not required if the basic training is limited to custody mediation).
    2. The additional 20 hours can be achieved by attendance at one or more advanced trainings, relevant workshops and conferences.
  2. A minimum of 14 hours on domestic violence education OR Taught such courses him/herself
  3. Had an exceptional amount of applicable personal experience and in-service

NOTE: If the applicant lacks the minimum qualifications outlined in 1 and 2 above, he/she shall submit a resume and contact the Accreditation Committee to discuss his/her acceptability for membership on an individual basis.

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EXPERIENCE AND CONSULTATlON/ SUPERVISION IN THE ACTUAL PRACTICE OF MEDIATION

An OAFM Accredited Family Mediator must:

  1. Applicants who posess a law degree or a graduate degree must provide proof (ie. letter from supervisor, peer references) of a minimum two years of relevant experience in human service. Applicants who do not have a law degree or a graduate degree must provide proof of a minimum of six years of relevant work experience in human service. Applicants who do not have a university degree must provide proof of a minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in human services;
  2. SUBMIT a minimum of five family related cases mediated to the point of agreement. The mediator should be supervised by an OAFM Accredited Family Mediator for a minimum of one hundred hours of supervision - supervision can include mediating, co-mediating, observing, consulting, de-briefing - including five cases mediated to point of agreement. The applicant must submit letter(s) from Acc.F.M. (O.A.F.M.) mediator(s) confirming this supervision of the required one hundred (100) hours including five (5) cases mediated to point of agreement; and
  3. SUBMIT an example of the contract to mediate which indicates the working relationship with the clients for the cases in (2) above.

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STANDARDS OF PRACTICE

Code of Professional Conduct (Ethics)

An Accredited Family Mediator must commit himself/herself and adhere strictly to the OAFM Code of Professional Conduct as a Standard of Practice. No mediator shall venture into an area of practice beyond his/her own area of expertise.

Continuing Education

An OAFM Accredited Family Mediator must continue and submit proof of his/her mediation education through attending courses and workshops and reading about new developments in the field. Continuing education must be a minimum of 10 hours of course-work relating to the practice of family mediation every year,

Liability Insurance

All candidates at the time of application for the status of Accredited Family Mediator, as well as Accredited Family Mediators at the time of annual renewal, must provide proof of current liability insurance covering the practice of mediation in an amount not less than $1,000,000.

Revised May 2003.

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