Nottingham Mediation Service / Homelessness Prevention Mediation Service

Nottingham Mediation Service (NMS) 

- NMS is a well established specialist mediation service for ‘Neighbours in Conflict’.

- NMS is funded by Nottingham City Council.

- NMS is staffed by trained paid mediators and volunteers who are employed by Nacro.

- NMS can only travel to neighbours living within the City of Nottingham, or boroughs of       Nottinghamshire.

- NMS are unable to offer the service to neighbours outside of Nottinghamshire.

- Neighbours living within Nottingham City do not have to pay for the service.

- Neighbours living within Nottinghamshire County may have to pay for the service, but NMS can discuss with the neighbour how this charge could be covered by another referring agency.

 Homelessness Prevention Mediation Service (HPMS)

 - HPMS is a well established specialist mediation service for ‘Young People and Families in Conflict’.

-  HPMS is a partnership service between Nacro and Nottingham City Council.

- HPMS is funded by Nottingham City Council, but the paid mediators are employed by Nacro.

- The mediation sessions are carried out at ‘Housing Aid’- this is the ‘Homelessness Section’ of Nottingham City Council (for more information see ‘Making a Referral’ section).

- HPMS can only accept referrals from young people living within Nottingham City, and who present themselves as homeless via ‘Housing Aid’.

- HPMS are unable to offer its service to young people and / or their family living outside of Nottingham City boundaries.

 Nacro 

- Both NMS and HPMS services form part of ‘Nacro Community Enterprises’ which manages Nacro’s housing activities and is a registered social landlord.

- Nacro Services in Nottinghamshire is part of Nacro, the leading crime reduction charity.

- Nacro is a registered charity, No.226171 and a company limited by guarantee, registered London No.1052098.

 What do we offer ?

 - NMS and HPMS both use a type of ‘conflict resolution’ that is ‘future focused’ and based upon the ‘good will’ of neighbours, young people and / or families being ‘open to change’.

 Trained paid mediators enable both neighbours and / or young people and their families to resolve issues that have arisen, by facilitating communication and negotiation between all involved using either all, or a combination of :

 ‘Shuttle Mediation’ - The Mediator(s) meet with neighbours and / or young people and their family separately, to enable them to discuss issues and reach agreements by : passing on information, ideas and responses, clarifying misunderstandings and working towards positive change.  A number of meetings using this format may be necessary.

First visits / meetings with each neighbour and / or young person or family, offer an opportunity for the mediators to gain a history of the on-going dispute issue, how the issues have or are still impacting upon the person / people involved, as well as what the person / people wish to happen in the future.   

 ‘Face to Face Mediation’ - Following a period of ‘Shuttle Mediation’ meetings, and if all are in agreement, a ‘Face to Face’ meeting can be held.  Ground rules and the purpose and the structure of the meeting are clearly explained to everyone beforehand.

 ‘Working with One Party only’ - Where one of the neighbours and / or the family of the young person choose not to engage in mediation, NMS and HPMS mediators are able to work alongside the neighbour and or the young person to find different ways of communicating with the other neighbour(s) and / or family members, and help through referral to other relevant agencies and organisations.

 ‘Outreach Mediation’ - (HPMS only) - HPMS are able to visit the young person and / or their family in the family home, if the young person and / or the family member do not want to meet at ‘Housing Aid’.    

‘Liaison with Local Agencies’ - In order to provide an ‘effective and equitable service’ to all, NMS and HPMS address the varying needs of all neighbours and or young people and other family members.  Signposting and referrals in agreement with the people involved can then be made to the appropriate support agency.

 ‘Advice and Enquiries’ - Both NMS and HPMS can discuss the on-going issue with the neighbour and / or young person initially in order to offer signposting support only.

‘Assessment Visits’ - (NMS only) - NMS are able to carry out an ‘assessment visits’ to the neighbours.  This option usually follows an ‘advice and enquiry’ from a neighbour as a ‘self referral’, or on occasion from a referring agency.  

 ‘Equal Opportunities’

 - NMS and HPMS believe in respect for individual dignity, culture and beliefs, and are therefore committed to providing services which are relevant, attractive and accessible for all who wish to access them.  Mediators work alongside neighbours and or the young person or family in a way which is unique to each person, valuing people’s differences, lifestyles and beliefs, and therefore welcome diversity.

 ‘Confidentiality’

 - Confidentiality is central to both NMS and HPMS services, and apart from exceptional circumstances, information disclosed or discussed during mediation will remain confidential to the service and to the people accessing the service, in line with the Data Protection Act.  The full confidentiality procedure will be discussed further at the referral stage. 

Working Hours  

- NMS mediators usually work Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, but are available for an evening or weekend appointment if arranged in advance.

- HPMS mediators work Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm, and are available for mediation each afternoon on a Monday to Friday.  

‘Making a Referral’

- NMS - If you are a Nottingham City Homes tenant or Housing Association Tenant, ask a member of Housing Staff to make a referral to NMS.

- If you are an Owner Occupier, Student or person living in Private Rented Accommodation you can make a ‘Self Referral’ direct to NMS.

- We also offer an ‘Advice and Enquiry’ service, or carry out ‘Assessment Visits’.

- NMS can help Neighbours with dispute issues relating to :

different types of ‘Harassment’, Verbal Abuse, Threatening Behaviour, DIY, General Noise, Loud Music, Parking, Shared Facilities, Boundaries, Rubbish, Graffiti, Smells, Vandalism, Young People, Pets, other issues individual to you.

- NMS is not an enforcement agency.  NMS has no Legal Powers and cannot evict people, or make people move house.

- NMS cannot work alongside Statutory / Legal Agencies i.e. Solicitors, Environmental Health, Police etc.

 - HPMS - The mediators offer mediation at ‘Housing Aid’, located on Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham (City Centre).

- The young person will initially need to speak with a worker from Housing Aid, in order to assess their suitability for mediation.  An appointment will then be made via the mediator. 

- ‘Outreach’ visits can also be made.

 Contacting NMS or HPMS

 - If you are interested in accessing / using either service, to discuss the suitability of a mediation case, or becoming a Volunteer (NMS only) contact the mediators via e-mail, letter / fax or phone, using the following details :

- Telephone us on - 0115 9857744, ask the receptionist for NMS or HPMS Mediation Service

- Fax us on - 0115 962 8948 

- Write to us at - NACRO, 16 Vivian Avenue, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, NG5 1AF

 - e-mail : NMS - julie.ofarrell@nacro.org.uk, or mediation@nacro.org.uk

               HPMS - anna-marie.graves@nacro.org.uk or carolyn.price@nacro.org.uk  

MIDLANDS MEDIATION NETWORK COPYRIGHT 2009 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED