This training course/workshop has been designed by Pamela Howard, Gearóid Browne and Keelin O’Reilly, trading as PGK Mediation Training, to assist fellow mediators in managing ethical dilemmas which may arise in their mediation practice.

Rationale for Training Programme

Training in the MII Code of Ethics and Practice is already available and is a pre-requisite for membership of the MII.  That training course focuses on the MII Code of Ethics and Practice.  Each of the trainers have experienced ethical dilemmas in their practice, and they identified a need to develop a practical process for resolving ethical issues.  As each ethical dilemma is personal to the mediator, the trainers identified an opportunity to provide colleagues with a framework which would assist mediators in the mediation practise, particularly as most mediators work alone.

The purpose of this Training Programme is to:

• assist mediation professionals to identify, analyse and resolve ethical issues,
• provide a practical toolkit to manage dilemmas which may arise in mediation settings,
• assist participants to fulfil their continuing professional development requirements,
• and facilitate those who wish to move towards Advanced Mediator accreditation.

The participants will:

• gain an understanding of theoretical approaches to identifying and understanding ethical challenges,
• have an opportunity to analyse and resolve an ethical dilemma, through input and group discussion, and
• have an opportunity to practice the application of an 8-Step model to guide them through the resolution of an ethical dilemma.

By the end of this interactive workshop, participants’ will:

• understand what is meant by the term ethical dilemma in a mediation setting,
• be able to recognise an ethical dilemma when it arises,
• understand how, and be able to apply a methodology for resolution of an ethical dilemma,
• appreciate that an ethical dilemma is personal to the individual,
• be familiar with support systems available to them in the future to help resolve an ethical dilemma,
• recognise the importance of Reflective Practice when an ethical dilemma arises, and
• be more confident in identifying and managing ethical dilemmas in the future.

The training programme is a blend of theoretical learning and case study exercise through groupwork. It is designed to develop an understanding of ethics in a mediation context and build participants knowledge, skills, and confidence in in managing ethical dilemmas.

Workshops will be held on:

16th April 2025 in the Avila Carmelite Centre, Bloomfield Avenue, Morehampton Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 4. Donnybrook – 09.30 – 13.00

15th May 2025 in the Parish Centre, Stradbally Road, Borris Little, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.

18th September 2025 in the Avila Centre, Dublin as above.

Training will be delivered by PGK Mediation Training.  The profiles of the trainers are set out below:

Pamela Howard, (Road to Resolution)

Pamela Howard is an experienced mediator, in both family and workplace disputes, and has considerable experience of engaging with individuals, couples and families to improve their relationships, reduce stress and have better engagement. Pamela has helped clients achieve positive solutions to complex life issues, to address long-term conflict and constructively agree tough decisions together and make plans to follow them through.

Pamela holds a Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from NUI Maynooth, and a qualification in Cinergy Conflict Management Coaching.   Pamela is a member of the Mediators Institute of Ireland (MII) since 2011 and is an accredited Advanced Mediator.

She works in a voluntary capacity with the Community Law & Mediation Services (CLM), Northside and is a member of the Civil and Public Service Mediators’ Service (CPSMS) since its inception.

Her experience in family mediation was greatly enhanced by successfully completing a six-month internship with the Family Mediation Service (FMS).  The Legal Aid Board (Family Mediation Service) Private Practitioner Panel contracts her to provide mediation services to separating couples.

Pamela is currently working with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) where she has a lead role in developing mediation and encouraging parties to resolve complaints about legal practitioners.  She chairs the LSRA Reflective Practice and Learning Group.

She successfully completed the requirements for Certified Elder Mediator Advanced and is an accredited member of Elder Mediation International Network.

She participated in multi-party discussions with the Department of Justice to establish a Mediation Council, which is required by legislation.

She is chair of both the Ashbourne and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority Reflective Practice and Learning Groups and also a member of the Community Law and Mediation Service Reflective Practice Group.

She was Deputy Chair of the MII Ethics Committee and a member of the MII panel of assessors for Advanced Mediator qualification.

Her practice has helped her to develop skills in co-mediation, working collaboratively and intuitively with colleagues and she uses reflective practice consistently to review interaction with clients.

Educational & Professional Qualifications

 Diploma in Mediation and Conflict Management – NUI Maynooth 2010/2011

 MII Accredited Advanced Mediator 2020

 Cinergy™ Conflict Management Coach

 FMS Family Mediation (Legal Aid Board) Training Programme, 2017

 Mediators’ Toolkit Training programme, 2020

 Elder Mediator Advanced (Cert.EM Advanced) 2023

MII Committee Work and Peer Consultation (Reflective Practice & Learning) Group

 MII Shadow Mediation Council

 MII Ethics Committee

 Chair of Reflective Practice and Learning (Peer Consultation), Ashbourne

 Reflective Practice & Learning meetings, CLM (regular meetings)

 Reflective Practice & Learning, CPSMS (regular meetings)

 

Gearóid Browne, (Redbrick HR Consulting Ltd)

Gearóid Browne is an accredited MII Mediator with significant experience of providing mediation in Workplace, Separating Couples, Commercial and Elder Mediation settings.

Gearóid works closely with parents, both married and not, who wish to make long term plans for their future and that of their children.  Gearóid assists parents to develop Memorandum of

Understanding documents which lead to judicial separation and/or divorce.  Gearóid works with parents to assist them to improve communication between them and helps them develop skills for planning for the future more positively.

Gearóid works with peer groups, colleagues, and direct reports within workplaces to help resolve interpersonal issues and promote a more positive working environment.

Preparation for mediation is vital for many people who are engaging in conflict and Gearóid works with individuals, providing conflict coaching to prepare them for the mediation conversations.

Gearóid successfully achieved the Certified Elder Mediator Advanced (Cert. EM Advanced) in September 2023.

Gearoid’s background is in HR, Training and Development, Health & Wellbeing and Conflict Coaching. Gearóid also facilitates a Reflective Practice & Learning Group in Community Law and Mediation, Northside.

Educational Qualifications:

Year   CollegeQualification

2020  DCU MSc in eLearning

2005  DCU MSC in HR Strategies

2001  TCDBSc in Business and IT

Mediation Training & Qualifications

2011   IPA /The MII   Mediation training & accreditation

2013   MacKenzie Young  Managing Workplace Conflict

2014   Round Table  Separating Couples

2015   IPA  Advanced Mediation techniques

2016   CSSO  Managing Underperformance & effective Communication

2017   Consensus Mediation  Conflict Management Workshop

2020   Gerry O’Sullivan  S Question Model

2020   CLM  Reflective Practice training

2021   Kingston College  Coaching skills for managers

2022   EMIN – Later Life Mediation Cert. EM Advanced)

2024   FMA- Child Inclusive Mediation  CIM Certified (in progress)

 

Keelin O’Reilly (Pathways to Success) 

Keelin O’Reilly of Pathways to Success has been mediating since 2007 when she was accredited by the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII). Keelin later went on to achieve Advanced Mediator status with the MII in 2012 by virtue of her mediation practice in workplace and family settings. She has continued to mediate both as sole mediator and co-mediator.

Keelin developed her mediation practice and experience by working in a voluntary capacity with Mediation Northside (now known as Community Law Mediation), and through private practice.  She has significant experience mediating in workplace and family settings. She has significant experience of mediating complex disputes between couples and workplace teams, including cases where there are elevated levels of emotion and high conflict. She continually seeks to develop her knowledge and skills as a mediator through co-mediation practice, reflective practice, ongoing continuing professional development, and structured peer consultation.

Working with several organisations over more than a decade, Keelin has trained groups on the MII Accredited Certificate in Mediation programme.  She is an accredited MII assessor.  She assesses at Mediator and Advanced Mediator level.

Keelin is contracted to work with the Legal Aid Board (Family Mediation Service) and the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).

Keelin is also a member of two Reflective Practice Groups (LSRA and Ashbourne).  She is a member of the Accreditation Policy and other related Subgroups of the MII.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

 National Diploma in Personnel Management, 1993

 MEd Degree (Education, Training and Development), Sheffield University, 1998

 MII Accredited Certificate in Mediation, IPA, 2007

 MII Accredited Advanced Mediator 2012

 Cinergy™ Conflict Management Coach

 FMS Family Mediation (Legal Aid Board) Training Programme, 2017

 Mediators’ Toolkit Training programme, 2022

 Child Inclusive Mediation, FMA (UK), accredited 2023

 Elder Mediator Advanced (Cert.EM Advanced) 2023