Good mediation provides safety for all participants and a clear process through a difficult conflict.
Mediation is not arbitration. It is not about establishing who was right and who was wrong. Mediation seeks to build understanding between the parties of the impact that the conflict has had, to build trust and to move the parties on.
A first session often consists of three questions:
what has been most difficult about this conflict for you?
what would you like to have that you don’t have now?
what are you prepared to offer to help make this happen?