engleski

Analyses of judges' perspective in family mediation – contribution to the development of new modality of work

General aim of this presentation is to contribute to the integration of theoretical and empirical resources with direct practice of family mediation in Croatia. The role of this research is to actively support development of family mediation and to empower professional community (judges, social workers, psychologists) in recognizing benefits for users in providing family mediation as avaliable psychosocial intervention within social service, rather than an alternative dispute resoloution procedure at courts. Results of qualitative research interview with family judges (N=10) will be presented concerning their perspective on family mediation in general, current implementation and suggestions. Preliminary data analyses are showing that there are huge differences among judges in the level of knowledge, understanding and implementing family mediation. Data are also revealing a number of difficulties related to basic principles of family mediation and values related to them. Although all participants of the research suggest generally positive perception of family mediation, they are arguing about modes of implementing and ways of understanding how and where processes of family mediation should be performed. The aim of this presentation is to contribute to the integration of theoretical and empirical resources with direct practice of family mediation in Croatia. We can conclude that practice of family mediation in Croatia is not consistent and professionals would need well structured and focused support and further education in order to be prepared for challenges in family mediation and to take the best of it to their users.

family mediation, social service, family judges' perspective

nije evidentirano