MEDIATING IN EDUCATION CENTERS. THE SOCIAL EDUCATOR AS THE MEDIATOR

Abstract

The following work is focused in mediation, a method to solve conflicts, from an exogenous prospective. It is a preventive resource available for professionals that are working in the socio-educational field, and that requires professionals to colaborate and to be involved. One of the most relevant objectives is to create an atmosphere where living together and cooperative attitudes are created. This process implies the existence and acceptance of a series of working norms that everyone that participates has to accept. However, in the article it is specified in what circumstances the mthod must be used or not. The mediation must follow a series of steps rigorously plannified with the aim of achieving the foreseen goals. Everyone involved must be informed of the steps so that everyone can feel that has its role in the conflict resolution. This kind of method is more and more required at the school centres, where the social educator is considered as the most skilled professional to solve all the conflicts that arise. Its main role in the mediation function is to asses and to be a sort of catalyser within the whole process. The key agents are the ones who have to make up the decissions and must provide a solution to the conflict.