Mediation Services and Mediation Training for Councils and Local Authorities
Practical, Impartial support to reduce conflict, strengthen communities, and build confidence across frontline teams.
Conflict can place significant pressure on council workers who are already working under pressure. We facilitate conversations for low level disputes between colleagues and provide mediation services for more complex or long running disputes between co-workers and are well-versed in mediating team conflicts. We also provide a variety of training courses to empower council staff to respond early, reduce escalation, and support team members to find constructive ways forward.
Our Experience with Councils and Local Authorities
Essential Mediation Solutions (EMS) has many years of experience working with councils and local authorities, supporting a wide range of teams and services to resolve conflict constructively. Our work across multiple councils has given us a strong understanding of the pressures faced by local government, including housing demand, neighbourhood disputes, antisocial behaviour, community tensions and complaint escalation. We have experienced the very wide variety of departments in Councils from Planning, Housing, Families and Children, Grounds Work, Waste Collection, Environmental Health and more!
This experience means we understand the importance of practical, proportionate, and timely support. We are used to working alongside council officers, housing teams, community safety partners, elected members, voluntary sector organisations and we can adapt our approach to fit existing referral pathways, safeguarding procedures, case management processes, and local priorities.
Our Mediation Services
Drawing on our experience with multiple councils and local authorities over many years, we provide flexible mediation support for local authority departments and partner agencies, helping teams manage conflict sensitively and proportionately. Services can be delivered in person, online, or through a blended approach depending on the needs of the case and the people involved.
- Facilitated Conversations between colleagues to nip conflict in the bud
- Mediation Services for more complex and/or entrenched disputes
- Mediation following a grievance procedure to help repair the damage of a formal process
- Mediation to aid staff on sick leave, due to workplace conflict, return to workplace where mediation is appropriate and participants can engage safely
- Mediation of team conflict within council services, and where appropriate a Team Culture training event to empower teams to have ownership of the culture they would prefer for their team
- Conflict coaching for individuals who need one-to-one support to prepare for difficult conversations or manage ongoing conflict more effectively
"Excellent, understanding and professional at all times, couldn't ask for better...The session was positive-both had the opportunity to speak and both appear to have understood each others viewpoints on situations that have occurred. I feel positive about the future."
I felt valued and listened to which during a very sensitive and emotive time was greatly appreciated. I was unsure at first however on reflection I feel that this was the best way forward in rebuilding a fractured working relationship. With the structure and focusing on a way to move forward whilst still addressing the past, it was the right balance.
Introduction to Workplace Mediation
"Emma was great in understanding my difficulties in discussing certain matters and provided individual support in relation to these which made me feel safe and more comfortable. Emma was fair and it was useful to have her there to highlight the positives we each shared about each other as they may have otherwise been overlooked or got lost in conversation"
Mediation Training for Local Authority Teams
Our mediation training is designed for councils, local authorities, housing providers, schools, community safety teams, early help services, customer services, and frontline officers. Training can be tailored to the realities of public service delivery, including high caseloads, sensitive conversations, resident expectations, and multi-agency working.
Communication skills for difficult conversations: Active listening, reframing, questioning, de-escalation, and managing strong emotions.
Half day How to Triage: Facilitated Conversation or Mediation? Particularly useful for HR, People Services or anyone who wants to refer a dispute but is unsure of the appropriate service.
1 day Mediation Techniques and Skills: for anyone to learn about the basics of a mediation process.
2 day Facilitated Conversations: For team leaders, managers and HR to be able to know when and how to facilitate a conversation to nip a conflict in the bud between team members.
3 day Workplace Mediation Essentials: How to conduct a mediation from start to finish and gain an understanding of conflict theory.
5 day Accredited Workplace Mediation Training Course: The 3 day course plus a mock and assessment to gain national and international accreditation as a mediator.
Mediator CPD sessions: Refresher days, role play practices, peer support workshops, EDI for mediators, HR basics for mediators.
Mental Health First Aid: Become a MHFAider after 2 days being trained by a MHFA England qualified instructor, to equip mediators and others to know how to approach disputants with mental health issues.
Half/1 day Culture Event: This event uses mediation techniques for teams/departments with toxic or unhelpful cultures, to empower the member to create their own team charter with ownership for implementing their desired new culture.
The course was very well delivered by Emma, a knowledgable, patient, and adaptable trainer. Not only does the course prepare the learner to mediate in the workplace, but it also has excellent application in our day-to-day ordinary lives. The training was challenging, but it was probably the most valuable personal and professional development I have undertaken.
Sam Winter
Somerset Association of Local Councils
Mediation Training
Testimonials
really helpful course, providing a clear outline of mediation principles and process
Really good to get us out of our comfort zones and ask us to pretend we're in a mediation session.
Very knowledgeable and good to use real case studies to help us learn
Dawn [the mediation trainer] had a way of putting you at ease, had a lovely manner and great knowledge.
Workplace Mediation Demonstration
"The service offered has been impressive with positive results. Most of all you [Emma McAndry] are a brilliant mediator, with a great personality and extremely professional in your approach"
Sameena Raja, HR from Preston City Council
How We Work
We work collaboratively with each council or local authority to understand local priorities, referral routes, and reporting needs. Our approach is impartial, proportionate, and focused on practical outcomes. We understand that different councils have different ways of working, so we can tailor our standard courses and services to suit.
An example of a bespoke request: we have overhauled a County Council's referral to mediation process, to be more streamlined, efficient, fit for purpose and to enable it to be accessible to all. Several years on, our referral process remains in place and was found to be more user-friendly than what was in place previously.
Commissioning Options
We can support councils through one-off case referrals, retained mediation provision, a variety of staff training programmes, referral process reviews, and bespoke conflict resolution packages. Delivery can be scaled for individual teams, whole departments, cross-service partnerships, or wider community safety and housing strategies.
Next Steps
To discuss mediation services or mediation training for your council or local authority, contact us to arrange an initial conversation. We will help you identify the most suitable support, whether you need a referral pathway for live cases, a tailored training programme, or a wider conflict resolution startegy.
Feedback on our work with Councils & Local Authorities
HR referrer from Allerdale Borough Council
The mediation was well run and really helped to facilitate an open discussion.
Laura Riley, Chorley Council
The mediation was a good opportunity to have discussions in a safe environment. Emma was empathetic and practical
Lorraine McIntyre, Chorley Council
The mediation was well worth it.
Parties from Staffordshire County Council
I felt very relaxed and thought that Alex was very calming and helpful..I was sceptical at first but then realised this method was more helpful to allow us both to speak.
Lovely mediator, listened and very understanding, credit to your company..very professional..I was treated with respect.
Nim has been neutral, professional, supportive and kind. Nim has understood who I am and how my brain works, which is not possible for everyone to figure this out. Nim is a real asset to your service and although I do not want to be in a position where I need mediation again, if I did, I would ask for Nim to be allocated.
Need a workplace mediator?
Browse the EMS panel of workplace mediators to see who we have available. For advice and guidance on the best mediator to appoint for your workplace dispute please get in touch for a no obligation chat. admin@emsolutions.uk or fill in the contact form below.
Book a consultation
What others have to say....
"Although slightly reluctant and hesitant to take part in role play, I definitely saw and felt the benefits. Gave me practical experience and confidence going forward."
"I thoroughly enjoyed this course. The facilitator was very engaging and enthusiastic. The content was pitched at just the right level and the crib sheets will be really useful."
"Really enjoyed the training. Liked that there was a range of activities to make the training more practical and lots of opportunity for questions/conversations."
"I will be leaving armed with great tecchniques and a lot more confident to support the mediation process."
Lancaster City Council
Emma has delivered several sessions for our organisation over the past few years and has played a key role in supporting the development of our Mediation and Facilitated Conversation processes. In addition, Emma has provided training and organisational updates to colleagues across the business.
We have consistently received very positive feedback regarding Emma and the team, particularly in relation to their professional and approachable manner, the clarity with which processes are explained, and the support provided to individuals who may feel apprehensive about participating.
We have also observed that, following the delivery of these sessions and updates, there is typically an increase in requests for mediation. This has been particularly beneficial in helping to address and resolve workplace issues at an early stage.
Demonstration of a Workplace Mediation in a Council setting
