For many aspiring mediators, the journey seems straightforward: complete a mediation course, receive a certificate, start mediating.
In reality, accreditation is much more nuanced than that.
One of the most common questions asked by new mediators is: “How do I become a NABFAM-certified mediator?”
The answer is that certification and accreditation are not quite the same thing, and understanding that distinction can prevent a great deal of confusion and frustration.
Whether you are a newly trained family mediator, an attorney looking to expand into alternative dispute resolution, or you are considering a professional mediation career, this guide unpacks the accreditation pathway and where the ACR Mentorship Programme fits into your journey.
First Things First: What Is NABFAM?
The National Accreditation Board for Family Mediators, commonly referred to as NABFAM, promotes professional standards within family mediation in South Africa.
NABFAM provides a framework for accreditation standards, professional development and quality assurance within the family mediation profession. Accreditation is intended to demonstrate that a mediator has developed both relevant knowledge and practical competence.
Training Is Not the Same as Accreditation
This is one of the most important points for aspiring mediators to understand.
Completing a mediation training course does not automatically make you an accredited mediator. Training provides foundational knowledge and skills. Accreditation requires the candidate to demonstrate that those skills can be applied competently in practice.
Training is the beginning. Mentorship develops practical competence. Formal accreditation remains a separate professional process.
Why Practical Experience Matters
One of the challenges faced by newly trained mediators is finding meaningful opportunities to gain practical experience. Classroom exercises and simulated mediations are invaluable, but real matters give exposure to:
- Complex family dynamics
- High levels of conflict
- Ethical considerations
- Legislative and procedural requirements
- Detailed documentation
- Child-centred decision-making
- Unexpected challenges that cannot be fully replicated in a classroom
This is why practical mentorship can play such an important role in professional development.
The Gap Between Training and Accreditation
Many newly trained mediators find themselves asking: “Now that I have completed my course, what happens next?”
The ACR Mentorship Programme was developed to help address the gap between recognised training and formal accreditation. It is a structured, three-month, court-based pathway for trained mediators who are seeking practical development toward accreditation and court-ready practice.
The programme is not positioned as a training course under NABFAM’s definition, but is rather what comes after training: a bridge that provides observation, co-mediation, supervised practice and formal assessment within the Children’s Court environment.
How the ACR Mentorship Programme Works
The ACR Mentorship Programme follows a three-phase model over three months.
| Phase | Focus | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Observation | Candidates observe real mediations alongside accredited mediators, building a grounded understanding of process, documentation and the legislation that governs the work. |
| Month 2 | Co-mediation | Candidates co-mediate with accredited mediators and develop practical skills through structured, hands-on feedback. |
| Month 3 | Supervised practice | Candidates mediate under close supervision, with the programme culminating in formal assessment and sign-off toward the accreditation pathway. |
Phase 1: Observation
Candidates begin by observing real mediations conducted by experienced accredited mediators. This allows developing mediators to observe professional practice, understand documentation requirements, learn Children’s Court processes and see how mediation principles operate in real matters.
Phase 2: Co-Mediation
Candidates then begin co-mediating alongside accredited mediators. This stage creates the opportunity to practice managing difficult conversations, maintaining impartiality, identifying interests, facilitating constructive dialogue and recording practical outcomes, all while receiving structured feedback and guidance.
Phase 3: Supervised Practice
During the final phase, candidates take greater responsibility for managing mediations under close supervision. The phase culminates in formal assessment and sign-off toward NABFAM accreditation.
How Are Candidates Assessed?
Candidates are formally assessed under a structured rubric before progressing toward accreditation. The detailed assessment criteria remain confidential to ACR and NABFAM.
Supervised assessments within the ACR programme are conducted and signed off by Thérèsa Luyt, who serves as the programme’s Senior Mediator and NABFAM Accreditation Supervisor. Certificates of Attendance are signed by Karen Malan as Project Director.
Does Completing the Programme Mean You Are Automatically Accredited?
No. A Certificate of Attendance from the ACR Mentorship Programme does not constitute formal NABFAM accreditation in and of itself.
The Certificate of Attendance reflects participation in the programme and successful completion of its supervised assessment requirements. Candidates complete the formal accreditation process independently through their own Recognised Mediator Organisation, commonly referred to as an RMO.
The pathway can therefore be understood as three connected, but distinct, stages:
- Recognised mediation training;
- Practical mentorship, supervised experience and assessment; and
- Formal accreditation through the candidate’s chosen RMO.
Why Many Mediators Choose a Mentorship Route
Mediation is a profession built on skill, judgment and experience. A structured mentorship environment can help a newly trained mediator develop confidence before accepting complex family matters independently. Potential benefits can include:
- Exposure to real cases
- Supervised learning
- Professional feedback
- Ethical development
- Improved drafting and documentation skills
- A practical understanding of Children’s Court processes
- Better preparation for court-based mediation work
Perhaps most importantly, mentorship allows developing mediators to learn alongside practitioners who already work within the environment that the candidates hope to serve.
What Should I Check Before I Apply?
Before joining any accreditation pathway, a prospective candidate should obtain current written information from their relevant training provider, RMO, and accreditation body. Useful questions may include:
- Is my existing mediation training recognised for the accreditation route I intend to follow?
- Which RMO will manage my formal application?
- What practical experience and assessment evidence will the RMO require?
- Which documents must I submit, and who is responsible for each step?
- What does the mentorship certificate confirm, and will it be adequate for my chosen RMO?
- Are there any current membership, ethics, insurance or continuing professional development requirements?
Requirements may change. Candidates should therefore verify the current NABFAM and RMO requirements directly before relying on a particular pathway.
Final Thoughts
Becoming an accredited mediator is not a single event, but rather a professional journey.
Training equips a candidate with foundational knowledge. Mentorship develops practical competence. Formal accreditation provides professional recognition through the applicable accreditation route.
The ACR Mentorship Programme is designed to help bridge the practical gap by taking trained mediators into real Children’s Court settings, where candidates observe, co-mediate and develop their own skillset under supervision and guidance.
From trained, to assessed, to court-ready: the aim is not simply to collect a certificate, but to develop the competence, judgment and professionalism that families and courts require.
Applications to the ACR Mentorship Programme are reviewed on a rolling basis. Prospective candidates should bring their NABFAM-recognised training and confirm the formal accreditation requirements with their own RMO.