Elements and Performance Criteria

Knowledge:
Knowledge refers to the understanding of relevant theories, principles, practices their application and other aspects of knowledge, which may be desirable or necessary in order to practise effectively an ADR process.

Critical aspects of assessment must include:
Knowledge, skills and ethics relevant to the nine area of practice as outlined in the 2001 NADRAC standards
Demonstrated capability to apply mediation with an awareness and sensitivity to conflict, culture and context.
Skills in negotiation, communication and decision making
Understanding and implementation of relevant procedures

Range Statement
Mediators may work independently or within an agency setting.

Critical aspects of assessment:
Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to continue to reflect and develop capability to mediate.

In particular, assessment must confirm the ability to:
Seek and reflect upon feedback
Seek opportunities for supervision/co-mediation
Identify and participate in personal development
Integrate learning into improved practice

Essential knowledge:
Relevant legislation and agency guidelines that affects the mediation process

Principles and techniques of:

Personal goal setting
Measuring performance
Time management
Identifying personal behaviour, self awareness, personality traits
Establishing a personal development plan
The agency's policies, plans and procedures
The types of work methods and practices which can improve personal performance
The types of learning style(s) and how they relate to the individual
The personal development opportunities and options

Essential skills:
Functional literacy skills to interpret written and oral information about workplace requirements
Communication skills including receiving and analysing feedback and reporting
Researching information to develop personal development and work plans
Eliciting, analysing and interpreting feedback
Analysing culturally different viewpoints and taking them into account in personal development and mediation processes
Monitoring research trends related to mediators roles and responsibilities
Using information systems to assist establish work plans
Assessing the effectiveness of own mediation skills development
Developing and maintaining professional networks
Ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

Resource implications:
Where assessment is conducted within the workplace there are no resource implications above those normally available in the workplace.
Where assessment is conducted in a simulated or non-workplace environment then access to the necessary equipment and research resources should be provided. Access to simulated exercises, case studies related to mediation service delivery issues will also be required if non-workplace assessment paths are utilised.

Consistency in performance:
Evidence of competency in this unit will need to be assessed over a period of time in order to gather evidence of performance over the Range Statement. This will include contexts applicable to the work environment, such as actual or simulated workplace situations involving a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary forms of evidence.

Context of assessment:
Evidence will be determined by selection from the Range Statement, justified in terms of work requirements, work roles and responsibilities and occupational specialisations.

Evidence for assessment of competence may be gathered by appropriate combination of the following:
Demonstration of competency within the working environment to learn from others and reflect on performance
Where there is not an opportunity to cover all of the Range Statement statements in the work environment, the remainder should be assessed through realistic simulations, projects, previous relevant experience or oral questioning on "What if?" scenarios
Observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questions on Essential knowledge and skills and consideration of required attitudes
Where performance is not directly observed and/or is required to be demonstrated over a period of time and/or in a number of locations, any evidence should be authenticated by colleagues, supervisors, clients or other appropriate persons
Review of any documentation produced by the candidate related to self development