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Finding A Solution

We get involved when schools and parents feel the situation has become impossible. Our work can help you through this.

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Fair Talk Mediation

We are different to other organisations, see how we can help and support both families and schools below.

For Fair Talk, mediation is simply a type of supported conversation we should have had some time ago but didn’t get the chance to.
Our Services

How We Can Support You

1.

Parental Complaints
Against a School

Parents can feel that that staff are not listening properly to their concerns and that they are not being heard. At the same time, a school can feel that they have responded to a parental concern or complaint and can struggle to recognise what more they could do to help. We can help both sides better recognise each other’s needs and bring about meaningful change.

2.

Local School
Community Mediation

When a local school becomes part of a new Multi Academy Trust, communities can feel anxious about the change and what this might mean for them. We take the time to find out how communities feel the new MAT can work with them to create a school that they feel represents their community. Equally the schools, through our work, recognise how important being able to work positively with parents is.

3.

Positive Communication Training

We offer a variety of training to school staff and other agencies. We also offer Positive Communication Workshops to parents. Contact us to find out more.

4.

Peer Mediation
in Schools

A thorough and long-lasting way to teach children to manage conflict in their schools. Overseen long-term by Fair Talk and encouraging young people to deal with conflict in a positive way.

Benefits

What makes Fair Talk different from other conflict resolution services?

  • We primarily work in the education sector – primary and secondary schools.

  • We also work with communities when a school is appropriated by a new Multi Academy Trust and help improve the process of change.

  • We support everyone we work with on equal terms.

  • We recognise how important it is for communities to have a local school that they feel represents them. Equally the schools, through our work, recognise how important being able to work positively with parents is.

  • We never cut and paste – each time we meet a new client, we listen to their unique experience and story and are honest about the ways in which we can help.

  • We do not use jargon or have preconceived ideas – our clients are our starting point and every mediation is based around their needs.

  • We tailor our mediations to what is needed in each individual case and do not have a one size fits all policy.

Take the
Next Step

Take the time to find out how we work. Contact Fair Talk today.

Email Us
Process

How does mediation
/facilitation work?

In a situation where parents and a school or certain members of staff are struggling to communicate effectively, and it is negatively affecting the student in question, we can help.

  1. 1.

    We will work with the parents and the schools separately & confidentially before we bring people together.

  2. 2.

    We will initially meet to talk about what mediation is and how it can help – here we can answer any questions about the process itself.

  3. 3.

    We will then meet again to spend time listening to and understanding the needs of both sides.

  4. 4.

    Once we are all comfortable with where we stand individually, we will all get together. The mediator will make sure that this meeting is planned for and feels safe and fair. Don’t underestimate the power of having a mediator support dialogue and understanding in this kind of environment.

Fair Talk Mediation

Our Team

Portrait of Catherine Allen

Catherine Allen

Director & Mediator
Portrait of Dave Walker

Dave Walker MBE

Mediator
People Talk

Testimonials from Schools and MATs

Engaging with Fair Talk has enabled me to improve my interactions with parents who have previously found communication difficult. Because of the work parents undertake with Dave and Catherine prior to meetings, they arrive with a shared purpose to move forward and find ways to rebuild relationships and I feel I can be open and understanding with them.
It has reset our relationship with the family and allowed us to move forward constructively.
Excellent - calm assured and knowledgeable.
A third party mediating the conversation with an unhappy parent.
Catherine conducted the session completely professionally and made you feel very comfortable and supported at the same time.
The right questions were asked and relevant observations brought to effect.
I felt that the process allowed both parties to develop a greater understanding of each other's situation. It was conducted professionally and compassionately.
Sincere thanks to Catherine for her professionalism and expertise.
In answer to the question - "What did you find most helpful about the mediation session?":

"Opportunity to sit and talk away from the school setting and face-to-face in an environment being managed by a third party."
Time to reflect and put together a plan.
It's great to communicate face to face in a neutral venue.
Very efficient and clear and well communicated.
I welcome this as a strategy to support a school serving the local community.
I have been personally working directly with Dave and Catherine of Fair Talk now for over 2 years. They have been a breath of fresh air in their approach to helping break down the barriers to the most complex disputes between families and schools. They have approached every situation and conversation with neutrality, respect and patience, but also with an understanding of the education system. They have always created a safe space where everyone feels respected and able to express their concerns. Thanks to their guidance, we have nearly always managed to reach a clear, workable agreement that supported both the school and ultimately the child's needs and restored trust between all parties. I highly recommend their services to any family or school seeking a constructive, student-centred approach to resolving conflict.
Fair Talk has enabled us to truly understand the communities we serve, giving us invaluable insight into the experiences, hopes and concerns of our families. Their support has been instrumental, particularly during periods of change, helping us communicate openly, build trust and bring parents meaningfully into the conversation. We've learned so much about how to create strong, respectful partnerships with our parents - it's genuinely been a game changer for us at GLT!
Fair Talk's Training: I could not recommend it highly enough. I learned so much.

Probably the best course I have been on, and I have been on many!

Thank you very much for this brilliant course. I loved it ... and I feel very lucky to have done such an enjoyable and valuable session.
Fair Talk's Training: Dave is one of the best trainers I have had.

Dave was engaging, funny, enthusiastic, and clearly passionate about what he does. This makes him a great teacher.

Dave can hold the attention of the group, answer questions and keep people engaged and attentive; able to teach sensitively but also in a fun, fresh way!

I was kept interested and motivated throughout the day.
Fair Talk's Training: Amazing communicator, keeps you engaged and interested by his story style and visual approach. The live demo Dave did was very helpful.

Wonderful; great storyteller who quickly engaged and provided visual stimulus and adapted material accordingly, sensitive and caring to everyone.

The content was very interesting and really stretched my thinking.

Excellent, so relevant and needed.

Testimonials from Parents and Communities

WCDA feels we have been able to offer a safe, neutral space for Catherine & Dave (Fair Talk) to meet with parents. GLT is the first trust that has actively engaged with a locally trusted organisation and taken on board local intelligence. The work that Fair Talk has undertaken appears to have had a positive impact for many of the harder to reach families.
Our mediator was fantastic and really supportive and very good at what she does yet still was comfortable to be with.
Our mediator guided us to talking to each other and prompted us when we needed to open up more. Felt supported by our mediator. She encouraged reflection. Follow up meeting is a nice idea and she continued to show support and encourage reflection and was reassuring.
They listened to me.
Catherine was amazing the whole way through, even though the process has to be impartial which she maintained she still listened to my points and I felt my views were valid.
I also recognise that issues are two way and our behaviours are a cause of where we ended up at just as much as schools are.
This is fantastic I'm very happy with the outcome.
Having a non-judgemental party to just actually listen to your concerns and for you to be felt like you had been truly heard and to ask the right questions to facilitate communication with the other party.
The plan at the end that we all agreed to. That then we are all accountable to.
The impartial professionalism was refreshing after a tough time trying to liaise with the other party. Catherine and Dave managed to help by simply listening and taking on board what we are actually saying. They were a joy to work with.
When the school merger began, I felt unheard and deeply worried about my child's future. Catherine and Dave's involvement changed that. They listened with genuine care, gave our concerns a voice, and helped rebuild trust between families and the school. They opened up communication in a way that hadn't existed before and left us with something solid to build on for the future.

They were always there whether on the phone or in person making sure we felt supported and understood. Their compassion and commitment changed a stressful time into one where progress felt possible. I am truly grateful for their support, and I believe any school or Trust facing change would benefit greatly from their guidance.

Thank you both.
Thank you Catherine & Dave for your support. You both do a great job.

Get in touch

Email:

catherine@fairtalk.co.uk
Accreditation CMC Registered Mediator accreditation badge
Association of South West Mediators accreditation badge

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