Why is professional practice consultancy important in mediation?

Because mediation is a demanding profession, professional practice consultancy (PPC) is an essential part of all mediators' professional responsibility. It includes all of the three following components: professional accountability, professional development and support for a difficult occupation. PPC is a means of ensuring standards of mediation practice and protection for the public.

How do I find a professional practice consultant?

The College maintains a PPC register, listing PPCs who meet the College's standards; mediators can consult the register to locate a consultant; further information is available from the College office. Some PPCs are allocated directly by a member's training organisation.

I am a member of an approved body. Can I have a UKC registered PPC (supervisor) who is not from my approved body?

Yes.

Are there set terms or do I agree them directly?

There are standards to be met about the amounts of times spent with your PPC. These are a minimum of 4 hours of consultancy for Associates per year and 2 hours for Members, of which 1 hour must be on an individual, face to face basis. You also agree your own terms (e.g. as to fees) with your own PPC.

What is involved in PPC?

It must include some element of face to face individual time each year with your PPC (a minimum of one hour is the standard - see above) and monitoring by sampling of records kept by the mediator. The remaining hours may be completed through a range including consultancy of pair working, or group consultation (when led by a UK College approved PPC), or by direct observation of practice. It is recommended that PPCs do not work with groups consisting of more than 8 mediators.