What we do

Common Ground Mediation provides mediation services within the Scottish education sector. We work with local education authorities, schools, parents and carers and children and young people.

The Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004/2009 (or ASL Act) introduced duties on local authorities to provide access to independent mediation for resolving disputes with parents of children and young people with additional support needs when and if they arise.

The ASL Act promotes partnership working among all those involved in supporting children’s learning. It gives parents more say in their child’s education and more opportunities to express their views about what support they feel their child needs. The ASL Act also provides children and young people with opportunities to have their views taken into account. It is essential for us all to find ways of collaborative working and to find constructive ways to resolve the important issues in Scottish education.

There will always be some disagreement and dispute about what is fair and best for all. Rather than avoiding or ignoring this fact, we can focus on creative problem solving and seeking resolution to complex issues.

Mediation is based on respect for all participants and it seeks to find solutions that are in everyone’s interest.