The role of interest‐based facilitation in designing accreditation standards: The Canadian experience

Abstract

AbstractThis article discusses the design and implementation of a national certification process for family mediators by Family Mediation Canada (FMC) in 1999, as well as findings from data collected during the pilot testing, of the certification process. Debates continue about theoretical orientation, best practices, and thus the feasibility of standards of practice. This article argues that although these debates are vital to disciplinary growth, they deflect attention from areas of fundamental consensus. Professional practice arid certification standards are designed using one of two approaches. The first approach is expert‐driven and evaluative and focuses on differences among practitioners. In this approach, experts evaluate differences and then propose the best model and standards of practice. The second approach is interest‐based and facilitative. It builds on areas of consensus among practitioners. Facilitators use mediation methods to support practitioner self‐empowerment and self‐determination in the design of practice and certification standards. This article argues that adoption of the second approach was the key to the success of the FMC process.