Youth Conflict Mediation Services

Youth Conflict Mediation Services

Our organization prides itself in its capacities to deliver high quality services, that are safe and affordable. Providing programming that is tailored to the needs of participants, ensures that outcomes are more positive, feasible and sustainable.

Alternative Decisions - Where your solution comes first

What is Youth Conflict Mediation?

Youth conflict mediation is a process used to resolve disputes or conflicts involving youth in a collaborative and constructive manner. It involves a neutral third party, known as a mediator, who facilitates communication and negotiations between family members, professionals, and other relative participants. Mediation can be between youth and adult figures involved in their lives, or between youth themselves. The objective of youth conflict mediation is to reach a mutually acceptable agreement between all those involved.

What are the Benefits of Youth Conflict Mediation?

What are the Limits to Youth Conflict Mediation?

Although mediation is a flexible, but there are limits to its process and scope.

  1. Voluntary Process - Mediation relies on the active and voluntary nature of its participants. If participants are unwilling to engage, mediation may not be possible or effective.

  2. Imbalance of Power - In situations where there is a case of significant power imbalance, mediation may not be possible.

  3. Complex Legal Issues - Mediation is not a form of legal counsel; should participants require legal advice or action, mediation is not an appropriate forum.

  4. Criminality - Mediation may not be an appropriate service for criminal matters, depending on the scope and nature of the conflict.

  5. Non-binding - Mediation agreements and their respective outcome(s) are not legally binding; should participants require legal advice or action, Alternative Decisions recommends seeking legal counsel or aid.

6. Age/Maturity - Age, maturity, and capacities of youth (under 18) are determining factors for the appropriateness and effectiveness of mediation. Generally young people 12 and under are to young for mediation services, as the complexity and requirements of participation can limit the youths ability to participate. Mediators are trained to asses maturity and capacities, and make determinations on their discretionary basis.

What are the steps to Youth Conflict Mediation?

Youth Conflict Mediation - PDF

We have also take the liberty to compile a more extensive outline of our Youth Conflict Mediation service. For your convenience, please download using the following link.