3-step assessment program to become
IMI Qualified Mediator, IMI Certified Mediator or ADR-Register Full Certified Mediator
Philosophy
- Self-evaluation, continuous professional development with peer feedback as well as a clear understanding of the mediator of their own style and approach are crucial. During the 3-step assessment process the feedback digest, user feedback, a logbook and self assessment of the mediator are taken into account. Besides this, the mediator receives individual feedback from the assessor(s) both on their performance during the performance-based assessment and while reviewing how the mediator dealt with mediations in practice.
- If the mediator has gained experience (20 cases or 200 hours) steps 1 - 3 can be done on the same day. In case the mediator does not have sufficient experience yet, step 1 can be done - post training - separately from step 3. In this case step 2 (gaining documented practice experience) needs to be completed after the performance-based assessment.
- If the candidate has completed an IMI Certified Mediation Training Program (CMTP), this first step leads to becoming an IMI Qualified Mediator. Step 3 leads to certification as IMI Certified Mediator.
- The idea behind a 3-step assessment is to give young (meaning ‘new to the field’) mediators a possibility to ascertain potential clients and mediation providers that they meet quality standards as IMI Qualified Mediator, which will help them to acquire cases (either on their own or as co-mediator) that are necessary to gain sufficient experience to become an IMI Certified Mediator or ADR-Register full Certified Mediator.
- Additionally this can serve as a first step in an ongoing professional development system that will guide and monitor mediators when gaining experience while embarking on a Continuous Professional Development path including self reflection and peer intervision that should stimulate the mediator to continue the habit of self reflection and seeking peer reviews.
The three-step assessment system offered by Toolkit Company (NL and worldwide)
A three-step system to assess performance and knowledge and monitor actual mediation experience is offered to mediators who would like to become IMI qualified, IMI certified and/or ADR-register Associate or Full Certified Mediator.
The assessment can be carried out face to face, blended (face to face mediation of mediator with parties, and the assessor via online) or fully online.
Step 1: Performance Based Assessment
Performance Based Assessment to become 'IMI Qualified Mediator', 'ADR-Register Associate Mediator' or ‘Toolkit accredited Mediator’
A 45-minute video or life action assessment by one or two (for online assessments) trained assessor(s), based on a role-play; as well as a 15-20 minute interview with the assessor(s). Candidates need to prepare and hand to the assessor(s) beforehand a strength-weakness analysis of themselves as mediator, as well as a paper describing their mediation style. This forms part of the assessment and will be used in the feedback and interview with the assessor(s) in this step as well as in step 3. Candidates will be assessed based on the Toolkit Company Practice Assessment Criteria Tool (Annex A below).
The Mediator skills that are tested during the performance based assessment as well as the interview fall into the following categories:
- Professional attitude, self-reflection and professional development
- Managing the process, including generating options, decision-making, closure, implementation and follow-up of mediations
- Advanced mediation process management skills
See annex A: Practice Assessment Criteria Tool
The interview consists of a part dealing with theory and background knowledge to establish sufficient understanding of mediation-, conflict- and negotiation theory as well as a part where the assessor(s) will examine how the candidate applied these learning’s in the actual mediation during the performance based assessment.
In order to be admitted to the performance based assessment in step 1 the applicant must have completed mediation-training(s) that meet the criteria for training programs in the country concerned and/or IMI Certified Mediator Training Program (CMTP) Criteria.
The costs for step 1 are € 1.250,- | CHF 1.290,- excluding vat/BTW (21%) where applicable. Toolkit alumni receive 10% discount on these prices.
In order to be become IMI Qualified Mediator and be admitted to steps 2 and 3 of the assessment the candidate needs to successfully pass the performance based assessment as well as the interview with the assessor(s) in step 1.
Step 1 can be done following completion of a mediator training. In that case the mediator will first carry out step 2 as a IMI Qualified Mediator before applying to finalize the assessment process through step 3.
If a mediator already has sufficient experience step 3 can immediately follow after step 1.
Step 2: Monitoring actual cases, self-assessment and practical experience
Systematical self-assessment keeping track of actual cases and monitoring performance while gaining practical experience
In order to become IMI certified the candidate should have gained experience in at least 20 cases or 200 hours of mediation and have documented those. For each mediation a feedback form should be submitted to the parties and the mediator should keep track of a logbook of their mediations as well as update their self assessment/strengths-weaknesses analysis.
Before being admitted to step 3 of the assessment program the candidate needs to submit a logbook and a self-assessment prepared by them as well as the Feedback Digest and feedback forms submitted by the parties.
- The logbook must contain at least 20 full-scale mediations or 200 mediated hours in the 3 years prior to step 3 of the assessment.
- The Feedback Digest should be based on feedback forms from those mediations and be prepared by an independent Reviewer according to the IMI guidelines. Candidates can choose their own Reviewer or apply for an ACB or Toolkit Company Reviewer (More information on Reviewers on IMI’s website: imimediation.org).
- The feedback forms on which the Feedback Digest is based should also be submitted.
In case step 3 will be carried out at a later stage than step 1:
- The self-assessment should be updated by the mediator and also be based on those mediations (at least 20 mediations or 200 mediated hours in past 3 years prior step 3 of the assessment).
It is important that the self-assessment should be a summary of the experience and learning points of actual mediations that were carried out and described in the logbook, including an analysis of what went well, what the mediator could have done differently and why, and a list of the mediators strong skills and areas of development. The self assessment should be accompanied by a description of the mediators style/approach to the mediation process.
There are no costs payable for step 2.
Step 3: Peer review, oral assessment and testing of performance in practice
After gaining sufficient practical experience and monitoring those cases in a structured way including self-assessment, the mediator is being reviewed and assessed on their performance in practice by an external assessor before becoming an IMI Certified Mediator
In step 3 of the assessment procedure the assessor(s) will hold a 20-minute interview with the mediator to discuss their actual mediation cases and experiences and provide feedback on their performance. The candidate needs to successfully absolve the interview with the assessor(s) and establish that they have sufficient understanding of mediation-, conflict- and negotiation theory as well as being fully able to apply all learning’s in practice and to carry out mediations in a professional manner. During step 3 of the assessment also the mediators proficiency in advanced mediation process management skills like dealing with attorneys representing their clients, multi-party cases or cross border cases will be discussed.
The Mediator skills that are tested during the interview in step 3 fall into the following categories:
- Professional attitude, self-reflection and professional development
- Managing the process, including generating options, decision-making, closure, implementation and follow-up of mediations
- Advanced mediation process management skills
See annex B: Practice Assessment Criteria Tool.
The costs for step 3 are € 395,- excluding vat/BTW (21%) where applicable.
Comment to diversity: in line with the IMI requirements participation in the assessment process is accessible on an equal basis to experienced mediators regardless of their professional affiliations, gender, race, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristic. Assessors and others taking part in the assessment process sign an integrity declaration to ascertain this.