RSI's Model Tools for Mediator Peer Review are a set of documents that any court mediation program can use to implement a process for having neutrals candidly assess one another's performance. The peer review process can help galvanize a community, improve mediation skills and ensure that disputants receive high-quality services.
These tools were developed through the generous funding of the Illinois Bar Foundation for the Kane County (Illinois) Child Protection Mediation Program. This program utilized a co-mediation model to serve families of children who are in the foster care system. The tools, as presented here, have been adapted for general use by any mediation program. Included are:
- A Peer Review Policy, which sets forth goals, procedures and expectations for the program and its mediators
- A Mediator Observation Tool, which provides a rubric for peer observers to assess the relative strengths of and challenges encountered by the mediator
- A Self-Reflection Tool, which gives the mediator a reference to evaluate and reflect on their performance following the mediation session