Framework for ADR Standards Preliminaries

Report to the Commonwealth Attorney-General

AFramework forADRStandards

Report

to the

Commonwealth Attorney-General

AFramework forADRStandards

©CommonwealthofAustralia

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ISBN:0 642 2018 7

Contents

Introducingthisreport vii Executivesummary ix Listofrecommendations xvii

Chapter1

Introduction 1

1.1 Background 1

NADRAC’sCharter1

Aboutthisproject2

1.2 Consultationprocess 3

Disseminationandpublicity3

1.3 Thereport 4

Purposeofthisreport4

Scope5

Structureofthisreport7

1.4 Terminology 7

ADRprocesses8

TheADRfield8

Standards10

Chapter2

ProfileofADRinAustralia 13

2.1 ObjectivesforADR 13

2.2 Stateofdevelopment 14

ivA Framework for ADR Standards

2.3Diversecontexts16

2.4OverviewofADR18

Community DisputeResolution18

FamilyMediationServices19

Courtsandtribunals19

Statutoryagencies20

Industrydisputeresolutionschemes21

Publicpolicydisputeresolution22

CommercialADR22

InternalorganisationalADR22

ADRassociationsandtraining/educationbodies23

Demandfor,andprovisionof,ADRservices24

2.5BenefitsandrisksassociatedwithADR25

Researchstudies25

ComplaintsaboutADR29

RisksassociatedwithADRserviceprovision31

2.6Implicationsforstandards35

Chapter3

OptionsforADRstandards41

3.1CurrentstandardsforADR41

SummaryofAustralianADRstandards41

RegulatoryenvironmentforADR44

Internationaldevelopments45

Parallelswithstandardsapproachesin otherfields47

3.2Governmentpolicycontextforstandards48

3.3PossibletypesofstandardsforADR51

Standardsforpractices52

Standardsforpractitioners55

Standardsfororganisations61

3.4Professional,organisationalandpracticemodels63

Contentsv

Chapter4

Thewayforward69

4.1Theneedforaframeworkforstandards69

4.2Codesofpractice71

Complaints72

4.3Aneffectiveregulatoryenvironment74

Buildingcompliance74

Rightsandresponsibilitiesin mandatoryADR77

Reviewingstatutoryprovisions78

4.4Attainmentofstandards79

Accreditation79

Selectionandengagementofpractitioners83

Education,trainingandprofessionaldevelopment84

4.5Considerationofneworexistinginfrastructure87

Peakbodies87

Complaintsbodies89

Effectiveuseofresources90

4.6Improvingdata92

Chapter5

Implementingtheframework95

5.1DevelopingADRstandards95

5.2Elementsofacodeofpractice97

Process98

Informedparticipation98

Accessandfairness99

Servicequality99

Complaintsandcompliance99

5.3Knowledge,skillsandethicsofADRpractitioners100

Knowledge100

Skills105

Ethics110

viA Framework for ADR Standards

ofstandards134

Introducing

thisreport

AFrameworkforADRStandardsisareporttotheCommonwealthAttorney-Generalon thecurrentpositionofstandardsforAlternativeDisputeResolution(ADR)in Australia andonfuturedirectionsfortheirdevelopment.Itspurposeistoassistrelevantbodies andindividualstodevelopandpromotestandardsforADRin Australia.

AustralianADRisatanhistoricmoment in itsdevelopment.Initialpioneeringwork has ledtotheincreasingacceptanceanduseofADRin manyareas. TheNational AlternativeDisputeResolutionAdvisoryCouncil(NADRAC)hasfoundoverwhelming supportforthedevelopmentofstandardsforADR,in ordertomaintainandimprove thequalityandstatusofADR,toprotectconsumersandtopromoteAustralia’s internationaldisputeresolutionprofile.

NADRAChasbaseditsrecommendationsin thisreportonitsunderstandingofthe currentstateofADRin differentareasofpracticeandapplication.Thecouncilwas consciousin itsdeliberationsoftheneedtobalancetwoprinciples.Thefirstisto recognisethediversityofcontextsin whichADRispractisedandtopromotethe developmentofstandardswithinthoseparticularcontexts(thediversityprinciple).The secondistopromotesomeconsistencyin thepracticeofADRbyidentifyingessential standardsforallADRserviceproviders(theconsistencyprinciple).

Theprincipleofdiversityinfluencedthe‘frameworkapproach’containedinNADRAC’s earlierdiscussionpaperonstandardsandhasinfluencedtherecommendationsin this report.AtthesametimetheevidencebeforeNADRACindicatedtheimportanceof movingtowardsessentialstandardsin keyareas,whichhasresultedin itsuggestingthat allADRserviceprovidersadoptandcomplywithacodeofpractice.

Inlinewiththese recommendations,thereportreferstoanumberofissuestobe consideredin developingstandards,variouselementstobetakenintoaccountin developingoracceptingtherecommendedcodeofpractice,andadescriptionofthe knowledge,skillsandethicstowhichADRpractitionerscanbeexpectedtoaspire.

Thereportcontainsguidelinestoassistserviceprovidersandotherrelevantbodiesto developappropriatecodesofpractice.Itwillalsoassistconsumerstounderstandand evaluatethequalityofADRservice

Executive

summary

Background

1ThecharteroftheNationalAlternativeDisputeResolutionAdvisoryCouncil (NADRAC)requiresCouncil,amongotherthings,toadvisethefederal Attorney-Generalonstandardsfortheprovisionofalternativedispute resolution(ADR),onminimum qualificationsforADRpractitioners, includingtheneedforregistrationandaccreditationofADRpractitionersor organisations,andappropriateprofessionaldisciplinarymechanisms.

2InMarch2000NADRAClaunchedadiscussionpaperon TheDevelopment ofStandardsforADRwhichformedthebasisforconsultationonthisissue. Thecurrentreportbuildsonthisdiscussionpaper,suggestsfuturedirections, andmakesrecommendationsforADRpolicymakers,includingthe Commonwealthgovernment.Italsoprovidespracticalguidancetothose developingADRstandards.

ProfileofADRinAustralia

3WhileADRserviceprovidersmayhavedivergentobjectives,NADRAC considersthatthecommonobjectivesforADRarethatitshouldresolveor limitdisputesin aneffectiveandefficientway, providefairnessin procedure, andachieveoutcomeswhicharebroadly consistentwithbothclientand publicinterests.SomeformsofADRmayalsoaimtopromote understanding andenhancerelationshipsbetweentheparties,orcontribute totheirempowermentandrecognition.ThemissionsandvaluesofADR serviceprovidersmaygivedifferentemphasestobroadersocialgoals,for example,communitydevelopment,human rights,justiceandsecurity.

4ResponsestoNADRAC’sdiscussionpaperindicatedivergentviewsaboutthe natureofADR,itsfuturedirectionsandtherisksandbenefitsof

xA Framework for ADR Standards

‘professionalisation’. NADRACbelievesthatitispossiblebothtomaximise thebenefitsofconsistentandcoordinatedstandards,andtoenableADRto maintainsomeofitskeystrengths,whichincludeflexibility,cost effectiveness,diversity,inclusiveness,accessibilityandcreativity.Thediversity ofcontextsin whichADRispractisedleadstoadiffusionofresponsibility

forstandardsdevelopmentandsuggeststhatasinglesetofstandardsis unlikelytoapplyacrossallADRsectors.

5ADRhasbeendevelopedthroughgovernmentorganisations,throughprivate industryandin thecommunity.ExamplesofADRarecommunitymediation schemes,primarydisputeresolutionin familylaw,ADRthroughcourtsand tribunals,industrydisputeresolutionschemes,publicpolicydispute resolution,commercialADRandADRwithinorganisations.Thereisarange ofrepresentative,standardssettingandeducationalbodiesconcernedwith ADR.Thelackofconsistentdatacollectionmakesitdifficulttoestimatethe demandfor,andprovisionof,ADRservices.

6ThisreporthastakenintoaccountconsumersatisfactionwithADR,andthe risksassociatedwithserviceprovision,basedonresearchstudiesand complaints.GenerallycomplaintsanddissatisfactionwithADRservicesare low,althoughproblemsandrisksareidentifiedin particularareas.Thelack

ofempiricaldata,however,preventsfirmconclusionsfrombeingmadeabout

theoverallqualityofADRservices. Thelownumberofreportedcomplaints aboutADRmayresultfromsystemicbarrierstomakingcomplaints,and doesnotnecessarilymeanthattherearefewinstancesofpoorpractice.

7TheproblemsandpotentialrisksassociatedwithADRindicatethatstandards needtoaddresssomeissuesin particular.Theseincludeinformedandeffectiveparticipationbyparties,theappropriatenessofthedisputeforthe ADRprocess,accessibility,fairnessin procedure,terminationoftheADR processandmaintenanceofconfidentiality.ADRserviceprovidersneedto establishtheappropriate levelofpractitionercompetence,ensurethequality oftheADRprocessanddevelopprocessesforcomplianceandcomplaints.

Optionsforstandards

8ManyADRstandardshave alreadybeendevelopedin Australiaandoverseas, andarangeofregulatoryinstrumentscovertheprovisionofADR. NADRACnotesthatcompetitionandregulatoryreformpoliciesmayneed

tobefurtherconsideredin thefuturedevelopmentofstandardsorregulation

in ADR.Otherfieldsofendeavourhave developedstandardstomeet challengessimilartothosefacingADR,butnoneoftheseapproachesfully addressestheparticularneedsofADR.

Executive summaryxi

9Standardsmayoperateatthelevelofpractice,suchascodes,guidelinesor benchmarks,attheleveloftheindividualpractitioner,suchasqualifications, competenciesorothercredentials,orattheorganisational level,suchas qualitymanagement.Theappropriateformofstandardsvariesfromcontext tocontext.Standardsforpractices(suchasacodeofpractice)aremore widelyapplicableacrossthewholeADRfield,whilepractitionerand organisationalmodelsmaysuitspecialistprofessionalsandservicedelivery organisationsrespectively.

Theneedforaframeworkforstandards

10TherearestrongargumentsforthedevelopmentofstandardsforADR.

NADRACbelievesthatstandardsarerequiredtoenhancethequalityof ADRpractice,tofacilitateconsumereducationaboutADR,tobuild consumerconfidencein ADRservices,toimprovethecredibilityofADR andtobuildthecapacityandcoherenceoftheADRfield.

11NADRACproposesaframeworkforthedevelopmentofstandardsforADR, in whichresponsibilityissharedacrossserviceproviders,practitioners,and governmentandnon-governmentorganisations(Recommendation1).It proposesthefollowingstrategies:

• Facilitatetheongoingdevelopmentofstandardsatthesector,program andserviceproviderlevel,in ordertoimprovethequalityofADR practiceandtoenhancethecredibilityandcapacityoftheADRfield.

• Implementparticularstandards,withinacodeofpractice,in orderto educateandprotectconsumers,andbuildconsumerconfidencein ADR processes.

12Thedevelopmentofstandardsin anyparticularcontextneedstotakeinto account:

• thelikelihoodandseverityofrisks;

• theneedsofparties,disputesandADRprocesses;

• differinglevelsofpractitionerorserviceproviderresponsibilityforthe outcomeofthedispute;

• thenature,complexityandspecialisationoftheworkperformed;and

• thecommunity,organisationalandprofessionalenvironmentin which

ADRservicesareprovided.

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A Framework for ADR Standards

Acodeofpractice

13Someessentialstandardsforpractices,containedwithincodesofpractice, shouldapplytoallADRservices.NADRACrecommendsthatADRservice providersadoptandcomplywithanappropriatecodeofpractice.Sucha codemaybedevelopedbyindividualserviceproviders,orthroughADR associations(Recommendation2).

14NADRAC’srecommendationforanappropriatecodeofpracticeis commensuratewiththeissuesinvolvedin ADRserviceprovisionand addressestheproblemsidentifiedatparagraph7. Codesarestrongly supportedbyADRpractitionersandorganisations,complementexisting standards,haveproveneffectivein otherfieldsandareconsistentwith regulatoryreformprinciples.

Complaints

15NADRACregardstheprovisionofaneffectivecomplaintsmechanism, containedwithinanappropriatecodeofpractice,asanessentialrequirement forADRserviceprovision.Suchamechanismshouldbebasedonaccepted standardsforcomplaintshandlingand,wherepossible,provideaccesstoa secondtiercomplaintsprocessconductedbyanindependentpersonorbody (Recommendation3).ThefeasibilityofanADROmbudsman providinga secondtiercomplaintsprocesswarrantsfurtherconsideration (Recommendation4).Targetedresearchanddatacollectionmayberequired in specificareas whereparticular issuesorcomplaintsareidentified (Recommendation5).

Regulation

16Compliancewithanappropriatecodeofpracticeshouldbebasedprimarily onself-regulation(Recommendation6).Existingevidenceontheprovision

ofADRdoesnotindicatetheneedformoredirectregulation acrossallADR,

althoughinterventionin areaswherethereareparticularproblemsmaybe justified.Conversely,amarketapproachwouldneitheraddresstherisks associatedwithserviceprovision,nor meetthesocial objectiveofpromoting ADR.

17TheCommonwealthcanplayarolein ensuringcompliancewithacodeof practicethrough itsowncontractualarrangements,andthroughencouraging otherlevelsofgovernmentandstatutoryorganisationstodolikewise

Executive summaryxiii

(Recommendations7 and8).Otherstrategiesforbuildingacceptanceofa codeofpracticeincludeconsumerinformationandeducationinitiatives (Recommendation9),andprovidingbenefitstothosewithanappropriate codein place.Thesebenefitsmayincludethegrantingofpreferredsupplier status,statutoryprotections,andconsiderationoffavourableprofessional indemnityinsuranceconditions.

18NADRACnotesthatparticularresponsibilitiesforstandardsapplyin mandatorysituations,asboththemandatingbodyandtheserviceprovider needtomakeanassessmentofthecontext,includingtherisksinvolved,and takeresponsibilityforthequalityofserviceprovided(Recommendation10)

19ADRpractitionersandconsumersarefacedwithdifferingADRprovisions andcourtdecisionsin differentjurisdictions.Clarityontheseprovisions wouldenablegreaterconfidencein theADRservicesandavoidproblems associatedwithinter-jurisdictionaldisputes.NADRACmaintainsitsview thatstatutoryimmunityprovisionsforADRpractitionersshouldbe conditionaloncompliancewithanappropriatecodeofpractice,andshould notpreventconsumersfromobtainingappropriateremedies. (Recommendation11)

Attainmentofstandards

20NADRACnotesthattheconditionsforanoverallschemeforaccrediting ADRpractitioners,organisationsorprogramscurrentlydonotexist,andthat anyrequirementforaccreditationshouldbedeterminedonasectorbysector basis(Recommendation 12).Nevertheless,greaterclarityandconsistencyis requiredin relationtocurrentaccreditationarrangements, especiallywith respecttopractitioners.InNADRAC’sview,accreditationisaprocessof formalandpublicrecognitionandverificationthatapractitioner,

organisationorprogrammeets,andcontinuestomeet,definedcriteria

(Recommendation13).

21Accreditationofpractitionersmayberelevantonlyin situationswherea panelorlistofpractitionersisdeveloped,fromwhichclientsorservice providersmakeachoice.Accreditingbodiesalsomayneedtosetlimitson

thenumbersofpractitionerstheycanreasonablysupervise.Thereispotential

however,foraccreditingbodiestodevelopproceduressothatadegreeof mutualrecognitionispossible(Recommendation 14).

22ProcessesfortheselectionandengagementofADRpractitionersneedtobe fairandtransparent,(Recommendation15)andbasedonanassessmentof theknowledgeskillsandethicalrequirementsoftheparticularADR

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A Framework for ADR Standards

program,serviceorsector.NADRACdoesnotsupportaminimum levelor typeoftertiaryqualificationasarequirementforallADRpractitioners (Recommendation16).

23ThosedeliveringADReducationortrainingprogramsneedtoinform participantsoftheobjectivesandexpectedoutcomesoftheprogram (Recommendation17).ADRtrainingandeducationprogramsshouldtake accountoftheelementsofacodeofpractice,andtheknowledge,skillsand ethicsdescribedbyNADRACin thisreport.Whereaprogramisdesignedto enableapersontobeanADRpractitioner,anassessmentshouldbemadeof thepractitioner’scompetence,basedonnationallyacceptedassessment standards.Recognitionofpriorlearningorcurrentcompetence, as well as recognitionacrosseducationalsectors,shouldalsobeprovided.NADRAC supportsmethodsofeducation,trainingandprofessionaldevelopmentthat effectivelyintegratetheoreticalknowledgewithpracticalexperience,and, wherefeasible,adoptalifelonglearningapproach(Recommendation18).

Infrastructure

24ThelackofappropriateinfrastructureforADRisabarriertothefuture development,recognitionandimplementationofstandards.The establishmentofapeakbodyorbodies,oranADRcomplaintsbody,could assistimplementationofmanyoftherecommendationscontainedin this report.ThefeasibilityandviabilityofnewADRbodiesneedtobeexplored further,takingintoaccountpossiblefunctions,structures,constraints, fundingandcost-effectiveness.TheprimaryimpetusforanADRpeakbody shouldcomefromtheADRfielditself,notfromgovernment (Recommendation19).

Resources

25ThosedevelopingorrequiringstandardsforADRneedtotakeintoaccount theresourcesassociatedwithbothdevelopmentandcompliance,andensure thatsuchresourcesarecommensuratewiththeriskstobeaddressedandthe benefitstobeobtained(Recommendation20).

Data

26Thefuturedevelopmentofstandardsrequiresvalidmeasuresofthe effectivenessofADRservicesandprograms.Astrongcaseexistsfor

Executive summaryxv

improvingthequalityandextentofdatacollectionandevaluationin ADR. Responsibilityfordatacollectionandevaluationrests withADRservice providers,researchbodies,courtsandgovernmentagencies.The developmentofconsistentactivityandperformanceindicatorsisamajor priority.

Implementing thestandards

27NADRACsuggeststhatseveralkeyissuesneedtobeconsideredin developingstandardsforADR:

• thecontextofserviceprovision

• theneedstobeaddressedin developingthestandards

• theappropriatenessofexistingorcomparablestandards

• therolesandresponsibilitiesoftheserviceproviderandofpractitioners

• thestandardsofpracticethatserviceprovidersshouldadopt

• thestandardsthatshouldapplytopractitioners

• otherconsiderationstoensureservicequality

• reviewandevaluationofthestandards.

28NADRACrecommendsthatADRserviceprovidersadoptandcomplywith acodeofpractice,whichdescribes:

Process

• TheADRprocessorprocessestobecoveredbythecode,includingthe rolesofallparticipantsin theprocess;

• How andwhentheADRprocessmayorshouldbeterminated

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationsaftertheprocessis concluded

Informedparticipation

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstoenablepartiesto makeinformedchoicesabouttheextentandnatureoftheirparticipation in theprocess

• Theserviceprovider’sandpractitioners’obligationswith respecttoadvertising andpromotion ofthemselves,theirserviceandtheADRprocess

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A Framework forADR Standards

• How andwhenpartieswillbeinformedofthestandardsthatapplytothe serviceproviderandtopractitioners

Accessand fairness

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstodeterminethe appropriatenessoftheprocessfortheparticulardisputeandforthe partiestothedispute

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstoensurethe accessibilityoftheserviceandtheprocesstopartieswithdiverseneeds

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstoachievefairnessin procedure,includingneutralityandimpartiality

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstomaintain confidentialityandtoinformthepartiesofconfidentialityrequirements

Servicequality

• Theknowledge,skillsandethicsthatarerequiredbypractitioners

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstoensurethequality oftheADRprocesses

Complaintsandcompliance

• Theserviceprovider’s andpractitioners’obligationstohandlecomplaints appropriately

• Theserviceprovider’sandpractitioners’obligationstocomplywiththecode.

29FollowingfeedbackonNADRAC’sdiscussionpaper,NADRAChasrefined thedescriptionsoftheknowledge,skillsandethicsstandardsforADR practitioners.Thesestandardsneedtobeadaptedtosuitthecontextof serviceprovisionandtherolesandresponsibilitiesofpractitioners.

• Areasofknowledgeincludeknowledgeaboutconflict,culture,negotiation, communication,context,procedures,self,decision-makingandADR.

• SkillsincludeassessingadisputeforADR,gatheringandusing information,definingthedispute,communication,managingtheprocess, managinginteractionbetweentheparties,negotiation,beingimpartial, makingadecisionandconcludingtheADRprocess.

• Ethicsincludepromotingservicesaccurately,ensuringeffective participationbyparties,elicitinginformation,managingcontinuationor terminationoftheprocess,exhibitinglackofbias,maintainingimpartiality, maintainingconfidentialityandensuringappropriateoutcomes.

List

ofrecommendations

Recommendation1

THATstandardsforADRbedevelopedbasedontheframeworkdescribedin thisreport,comprisingguidelinesfordevelopingandimplementingstandards,a requirementforacodeofpracticewhichtakesaccountofessentialareasand, whereapplicable,theenforcementofsuchacodethrough appropriatemeans. ThatdevelopingADRstandardsbeanongoingprocessandrecognisethe

diversityofADR.p71

Recommendation2

THATallADRserviceprovidersadoptandcomplywithanappropriatecodeof practice,developedbyADRserviceprovidersorassociations,whichtakesinto

accounttheelementscontainedin Section5.2 ofthisreport.p72

Recommendation3

THATADRserviceprovidershavein placeanappropriateandeffectivesystem formanagingcomplaints.Thatsuchsystemsbebasedonappropriatecomplaint handlingpracticesandtakeintoaccounttheelementsofacodeofpractice,as

outlinedin Section5.2 ofthisreport.p73

Recommendation4

THATADRorganisationsexaminethefeasibilityandappropriatenessofestablishing anADRIndustryOmbudsmanorsimilarbody,in ordertoprovideasecondtier complaintssystem.Thatthisexaminationtakeplacein thecontextofconsiderationofapossiblepeakADRbody,asoutlinedin Recommendation19. p73

Recommendation5

ThatADRorganisationsmonitor thecomplaintsarisingfromtheprocesses describedatRecommendations3 and4, identifyanyproblemareasand undertakefurtherconsultationandresearchontheneedforadditionalstandards

in suchareas.p74

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A Framework forADR Standards

Recommendation6

THATregulationofADRbebasedprimarilyonself-regulation,withtheneed

forgreaterorlesserregulationtobeassessedonasectorbysectorbasis.p76

Recommendation7

THATcompliancebytheserviceproviderwithanappropriatecodeofpractice formpartofanycontractenteredintobyCommonwealthagenciesprovidingfor

ADR.p76

Recommendation8

THATState,Territoryandlocalgovernmentagenciesincludecompliancewith

anappropriatecodeofpracticein anycontractsprovidingforADR.p77

Recommendation9

THATgovernment,industry,professionalandconsumerbodiesundertake consumereducationactivitieswhichencouragetheinclusionofanappropriate

codeofpracticein privatecontractsforADRservices.p77

Recommendation10

THATbodieswhichmandateorcompeltheuseofADRgivespecialattention totheneedformechanismsandprocedurestoensuretheongoingqualityof

mandatedADR.p78

Recommendation11

THATCommonwealth,StateandTerritoryGovernmentsundertakeareviewof statutoryprovisionsapplyingtoADRservices,includingthoseconcernedwith immunity,liability,inadmissibilityofevidence,confidentiality,enforceabilityof ADRclausesandenforceabilityofagreementsreachedin ADRprocesses.That thisreviewproviderecommendations onhowto:(a)achieveclarityin relationto thelegalrightsandobligationsofparties,referrersandserviceproviders,and(b) providemeansbywhichconsumersofADRservicescanseek remediesforserious

misconduct.p79

Recommendation12

THATtheneedforandnatureofaccreditationofADRpractitioners,

organisationsandprogramsbedeterminedonasectorbysectorbasis.p83

Recommendation13

THATthoseresponsibleforaccreditingADRpractitioners:(a)clearlydefinethe levelofcompetenceandresponsibilityrecognisedthrough theaccreditation;(b)

Recommendationsxix

usevalidandreliableassessmentprocedures;(c)providemonitoring,revieworaudit processes;(d)providefairnesstothoseseekingaccreditation;(e)ensurethat accreditationprocessesaretransparentandpubliclyavailable;and(f)provide consistencyandcomparabilitywithsimilaraccreditationregimes. p83

Recommendation14

THATthoseresponsibleforaccreditingADRpractitionersdevelopprocessesfor mutualrecognitionofqualifications,trainingandassessment. p83

Recommendation15

THATprocessesforselectingADRpractitionersbefairandtransparent,and

enablepartiestohaveaccesstothebestavailablepractitioners.p84

Recommendation16

THATthoseengagingADRpractitionersclearlyestablishtheknowledge,skills andethicsrequiredthroughtheprocessesdescribedin Chapter5 ofthisreport, andthattertiaryqualificationsnotbeauniversalrequirementforADR

practitioners.p84

Recommendation17

THATADReducationandtrainingprovidersinformparticipantsofthe objectivesandexpectedoutcomesoftheeducationandtrainingprogramwhich theyoffer,andtheextenttowhichtheprogrammaylead toworkasanADR

practitioner.p86

Recommendation18

THATeducation,training,assessmentandprofessionaldevelopmentforADR practitioners(a)takeaccountoftheelementsofanappropriatecodeofpractice describedatSection5.2 ofthisreport,andbeinformedbytheknowledge,skills andethicsrelevanttotheareaofpractice,asoutlinedin Section5.3;and(b)be primarilyperformancebased,useacceptednationalstandardsforeducation, training,andassessment,includingrecognitionofpriorlearningorrecognition ofcurrentcompetence,adoptbestpracticelearningstrategiesthatintegrate theoreticalknowledgeandpracticalexperienceand,wherefeasible,usealifelong

learningapproach.p86

Recommendation19

THATADRorganisationsandpractitioners,andgovernment,industry, educationalandprofessionalbodiesexplore thefeasibilityandfunctionsofa peakbodyorbodies,andconsiderthequestionsconcerningapeakbodyraised

in thisreport.p90

xxA Framework forADR Standards

Recommendation20

THATtheresourcesdevotedtothedevelopmentofandcompliancewithstandardsbe commensuratewiththeriskstobeaddressedandthebenefitstobeachieved. p92

Recommendation21

THATtheCommonwealthencouragerelevantbodiestodevelopcommon performanceandactivityindicatorsforADRin ordertoimprovequality,

consistencyandcomparabilityin ADRdatacollection.p93