Peer mediation in primary and secondary schools

Verso, or peer mediation, is a mediation activity that takes place in schools. It supports children's learning, rights and inclusion.

What is Verso?

Peer mediation involves trained school pupils mediating disputes between pupils younger than themselves or of the same age. Peer mediation is always guided and supported by trained Verso adults. Find out more about Verso and mediation for the survey.

Peer mediation is used to deflect conflicts that occur in everyday school life. It can be used to mediate disputes such as name-calling, name-calling, name-calling, appearance-related insults, talking behind your back, nasty comments on social media, pushing, slapping, queuing, isolation, discrimination, intimidation, coercion, unauthorised borrowing or hiding of another's property.

 Peer mediation does not settle serious cases of violence or bullying, nor does it agree on compensation for material damage.

When a school starts a peer mediation activity, VERSO trainers will train all school staff and student volunteers in mediation.

The role of a peer mediator is to help the students involved in a dispute to find a solution to their dispute themselves. Verso students support and guide the discussion between the parties in accordance with the peer mediation process using the Verso Driver Card. The parties are left to resolve the situation themselves and the peer mediators record an agreement on the parties' solution, which is returned to at the follow-up meeting. In a mediation situation, the main role of the peer mediators is to guide the discussion by asking questions and listening to the parties. The mediators are guided by the rules of mediation: impartiality, confidentiality, seeking a solution, non-punitive and voluntary.

All people have arguments from time to time.

A dispute between pupils at school is referred to peer mediation. Mediation allows students to share their perspectives, describe their feelings and together consider a solution to the situation. Trained Verso students support and guide the discussion and help the parties to settle their dispute. In mediation, the parties' promises are written down in a joint agreement. The agreement reached is followed up in a follow-up meeting. If no agreement is reached, the matter is referred to Verso adults.

Peer mediation activities carried out by pupils are always guided by a Verso adult team trained by school staff.

Once a child has participated in peer mediation, the child is informed at home in accordance with school policy. Not all agreed situations may be communicated. If the child talks about the situation at home, it is important that the carer is interested in the child's experiences and feelings about the resolution. The role of the carer is to support the solution reached and to support their child to take responsibility for sticking to the agreement. The matter has been dealt with in peer mediation and often does not require further action afterwards. If there are any concerns, it is a good idea to discuss them with school staff.

In mediation, students learn emotional, interpersonal and problem-solving skills, as well as understanding diversity and peace-building.

How mediator trainees see Verson:

  • They have learned how to deal with disputes and how to apply these skills in everyday life.
    (mediation students in Joroinen)
  • In Verso, you learn manners, self-control and cooperation skills. At the same time, you learn from your mistakes.(mediation students Espoo)
  • In Verso you can learn about equality, togetherness, forgiveness, responsibility and keeping your promises.
    (mediator trainees Helsinki)
  • You can't always rely on others to settle disputes. (mediation students in Joroinen)
  • Here we have learned good skills for our future marriages. (mediator trainees Helsinki)

Frequently asked questions- page for more answers to questions about Verso.

Signing a mediation agreement in peer mediation.

Listen to the experiences of Verso peer mediation
Waves of mediation -podcast:

Episode 11:

Secondary School Versos

Episode 12:

Primary School Versos

Episode 23:

Karisto's success story