The possibility of using mediation in the work of a school counsellor

Abstract

Despite the growing recognition of mediation in schools and the increasing introduction of alternative methods of dispute resolution, mediation in schools is neither a common nor a standard method of conflict resolution and restorative justice implementation. The aim of the article is to review the possibilities offered by the use of mediation in the work of a counsellor. The review of literature presented in the article oscillates around the tasks of a school counsellor, the organization of mediation in school, the potential of mediation and mediation practices used in the work of a school counsellor, as well as their effectiveness. The review includes articles by both Polish and foreign scientists pointing to the effectiveness of the introduction of mediation practices. The results of the review indicate high variability in the implementation and evaluation of mediation practices and the implementation of restorative justice postulates in schools. At the same time, most studies have shown positive results of introducing mediation solutions, in particular maintaining favourable personal relations despite the occurrence of a dispute, as well as limiting the frequency of referring a dispute to resolution in formalized disciplinary or court proceedings. Possibilities of using mediation in the work of a school counsellor as a method of personal development in the field of interpersonal communication, as well as a method of preventing violence and a tool to help in fulfilling the tasks entrusted to a school counsellor were discussed. In addition, the article shows the future directions of research in the field of alternative methods of dispute resolution in the school environment.