The whole of the mediation took place in one session as it had been very difficult to arrange date mutually convenient to both parties.  It was deceided that following conversations with each party, it would be appropriate to conduct the mediation in this way. 

The party1 had asked the court if the case could go to mediation following a court hearing, and it was duly agreed.  This however had been agreed in the Summer of 2005 and it had taken until early Feb 2006 to arrange for this to happen.

The process was explained to party 1 during the introductions of the first meeting.  She appeared to be extremely nervous and both mediators worked hard to try and reduce that feeling for her.  Confidentiality was explained at the same time.  Prior to the meeting, mediators had had sight of various documents that had passed between both parties, however it was needed for party 1 to explain what had happened for the case to get to the present position. 

Party A is landlord who has a tenatnt in her flat, party 2 are representatives of the residents association who manage the block.  There had been some damage to the roof and party A had asked for repairs to be done as the interior of the flat was suffering from damp.  It had taken two years for the work to be done and party A had contracted the work to be done, but deducted payment from the maintenance payments to the residents association.  Party 2 are now demanding that money to be paid and interested is being added whilst the debt is outstanding.   Party A  claimed that she had undertaken this procedure in the past and there had been no objection.  This time she had been told to claim from the resident's associations insurance company!!!!!!!!!!!!  However there was some argument from the insurance company over this as they claimed that partyA had been paid the money for the repair.

Party 2 were claiming that they were within the lease agreement to ask that monies be paid or all the residents in the block would have the shortfall divided between them. 

The matter was discussed over a long period of time, however the agreement made was to proceed to arbitration.  There was no shift on either side.

TLC Steeple view

This was the second visit and I was sure that like before it was not going to be easy.  There were extra people present and from the start S the main speaker made her points by being confrontational.  It left very little for anyone else to get their say.  Party 2, the son, would not engage at all, despite my coaxing him into the conversation.

Party 1, S, became more excitablle as the time wore on.  There were clear issues that were more to do with her partner than party 2. 

It was obvious that this further meeting was not appropriate for mediation at that time.  I believe that mental health support was needed for party1, followed up by mediation.

Went to an interesting TLC mediation last night.  Clients included Y/P, grandmother and partner and also Y/P mum.

Grandmother spoke first to outline the issues.  Y/P had been living with her for about 1 month since mother had thrown Y/P out because of an assault.  Y/P has had previous mental health issues.  Hd been badly bullied at school and spent one year having in-house mental health treatment.  Was now on mediacation for depression since her move.  The Y/P mental health issues had previously been well managed and monitored but since moving there has been no support in this area.

Y/P was contantly interrupting when other people were having their say.  This was challenged.  I believe the Y/P felt that she was being blamed for what had happened.  There was clearly alot of anger.  Meidatirs were also told that Y/P was drinking alcohol whilst taking prescription drugs despite being asked not to do so. 

Mum's body language suggested she was at the end of her tether despite wanting to help and loving her child.  Y/P interrupted Mum all the time and found it difficult to let her speak.  Y/P is now in bed and breakfast as a result of an attack the week before.  However Y/P does not feel comfortable with that situation and would like to be at home.

Have so far undertaken two mediations this week.  The initial visits for a neighbour mediation and a full Y/P mediation.

The neighbour mediation was concerning noise and I believe that it was going well and that all the points had been covered with party 1 agreeing at first to a full mediation meeting.  At the last moment, the party changed her mind and would not agree to going any further.  Party 2 were very interested in going to a full face2 face.

Decided to see if I could turn the situation around as I fully believed that face 2 face would really work well in this situation. However it was not to be as party1 became abusive and angry when I spoke to her.  This case will be closed.

The Y/P mediation went very well with both parties fully participating.  there were notes of thanks to each other, apologies and the young man reassured his Mum that he did love her.  However, and it is a big one, I believed there was an issue that was not discussed and it was the very reason that the young man was referred for mediation.  It may be that there will be anothre session where this can happen.   A's support worker was very positive about the session and fedback that it had gone very well.

‘SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing an organization and its environment. It is the first stage of planning and helps marketers to focus on key issues’ http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_swot.htm

Discovery Learning

Jerome Bruner was influential in defining Discovery Learning. It uses Cognitive psychology as a base. Discovery learning is "an approach to instruction through which students interact with their environment-by exploring and manipulating objects, wrestling with questions and controversies, or performing experiments" (Ormrod, 1995, p. 442) The idea is that students are more likely to remember concepts they discover on their own. Teachers have found that discovery learning is most successful when students have prerequisite knowledge and undergo some structured experiences. (Roblyer, Edwards, and Havriluk, 1997, p 68 (http://copland.udel.edu./~jconway/EDST666.htm