The Child Protection Mediation Practicum (CPMP) Project provides an opportunity for individuals, with or without prior mediation experience, in Aboriginal and geographically remote communities throughout British Columbia to develop mediation skills in a hands-on practicum environment. The practicum is designed to support the growth of child protection mediation throughout the province.
The BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society launched the child protection practicum in June 2006. Funding for this practicum program is provided by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, the Ministry of Attorney General, and the Law Foundation of British Columbia.
How does the practicum work?
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There are two practicum streams, the Standard Practicum and the Equivalency Practicum, based upon an applicant's prior mediation training and experience:
STANDARD PRACTICUM - 10 MEDIATIONS
For Trained but Inexperienced Applicants |
EQUIVALENCY - 6 MEDIATIONS
For Experienced Applicants |
| Applicants who have previously completed a minimum of five days of mediation training from an approved institute will participate in a one-day orientation, a two-day child protection training workshop, and will complete ten mentored mediations (four small claims mediations and six child protection mediations). |
Applicants with previous mediation experience, in addition to having the required mediation training, may be granted an equivalency designation permitting participation in a limited practicum comprised of the two-day child protection training workshop and six mentored child protection mediations. |
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What is the mentor's role?
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A qualified mentor supervises and co-mediates with the practicum mediator in each of the mediations. The mentors are skilled and experienced mediators who work closely with the practicum mediator to prepare for and conduct the mediations and provide constructive feedback following the mediation.
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Who qualifies as an applicant?
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Increasing the number of trained mediators in Aboriginal, and geographically remote, communities throughout BC is the primary objective of the Child Protection Mediation Practicum. As a result, the practicum is currently limited to Aboriginal applicants and applicants residing in under-served communities in the province.
Interested applicants who do not have any mediation training, but would otherwise qualify as an applicant, should contact the practicum office for information regarding how to obtain the required training to be eligible to participate in the practicum.
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What is the cost?
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The fees for the practicum vary according to the stage at which the applicant enters the program. Those applicants who will be participating in all 10 mediations will pay a fee of $3200.00. Applicants who will only be participating in 6 child protections mediations will pay a fee of $2400.00.
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What is the travel bursary?
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In order to ensure that no qualified applicant is denied the opportunity to participate in the Practicum because of the cost of travel, bursaries are available to all Practicum students to cover the reasonable costs incurred by student mediators to attend mediations and meetings.
You may decline the full bursary if you are in a position to fund all or a portion of your travel. This would allow the Dispute Resolution Practicum Society, which is a non-profit organization funded by public grants, to use its limited resources to provide further financial support to students for whom the other costs of the Practicum pose a significant barrier. Any such donations are greatly appreciated by the Society. Please see below for instructions about how to claim or decline the bursary.
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How to obtain further information?
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If you have questions regarding personal qualifications, or would like further information please contact the Child Protection Mediation Practicum Project at 604-684-1300 ext.25.
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How to apply?
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All applicants should send a completed application form, with all required attachments to: BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society, Attn: Child Protection Mediation Practicum Project, Suite 177 - 800 Hornby Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2C5. Applicants will be contacted on receipt of their application.
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Does completion of the Practicum qualify a person to join the provincial Child Protection Mediator Roster?
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Completion of the Practicum does not automatically qualify a person for admission to the Child Protection Mediator Roster.
In order to practice as a Child Protection Mediator in British Columbia, a person must be admitted to the Child Protection Mediator Roster administered by the BC Mediator Roster Society. Admission to the roster is limited, and is managed by the Dispute Resolution Office of the Ministry of Attorney General. For more information on the roster, please contact the Dispute Resolution Office either by email at AG.DRO.Victoria@gov.bc.ca or by telephone at (250) 356-8147, or you can visit the Dispute Resolution Office website at: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/dro
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What is the purpose of the Practicum's skills assessment?
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All Practicum mediators will receive an assessment of skills in their final two mediations. The assessment will be used to determine whether the mediator successfully meets the Practicum's criteria for recommendation for admission to the Child Protection Mediation roster. One of the following recommendations will be made:
a) recommendation for roster application
b) recommendation for additional mediation experience
c) recommendations for further mediation training and experience
Practicum mediators who are recommended for roster application will still need to apply for admission to the roster. The Practicum assessment will be available to the Dispute Resolution Office of the Ministry of Attorney General to support the mediator's application to the roster.
Admission to the roster may be limited in some geographic areas. The Practicum cannot guarantee that there will be available places on the roster for all participants who complete the practicum and receive a recommendation for roster application.
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