Perspectives on inter-professional collaboration: mediation

Abstract

This study which used semi-structured interviews with five social workers and five attorneys seeks to explore ways in which mediation as a process of inter-professional collaboration could be better exploited. Access was gained to the respondents by using the non-probability snowball sampling method to access social workers and attorneys who would consider divorce as an area of specialisation or expertise. The researcher was unable to access any member of either profession "ho held mediation as central to their strategy for divorces. Most of those interviewed indicated they used mediation skills when working with their clients but also that they did not formally encourage or engage in a full mediation process.

The study found that the family advocate could be a key in encouraging increased use of mediation and that the possibility of providing legislation for mandatory mediation should not be too readily dismissed. Co-mediation may enhance the capacity of the professions to work together and may address some of the role or territory disputes that work against mediation. The study also found that the two professions do not have a good working knowledge of each other and that the
relationship is characterised by mistrust and uncertainty.