Module Overview
Providing meaningful feedback is one of the most important — and delicate — skills in mediation supervision. Supervisors must support professional growth while maintaining trust, confidence, and reflective learning.
The Reflective Balance Feedback Model builds on the familiar “Feedback Sandwich” structure but evolves it into a more relational, reflective, and balanced approach.
Where the sandwich model focuses on sequence (positive–constructive–positive), the Reflective Balance model focuses on balance — ensuring every feedback exchange honours three essential elements of effective supervision:
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🎓 Affirm Strengths (Learning) — Begin by recognising what’s working well and highlighting effective practice.
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⚖️ Reflect and Explore (Accountability) — Engage the supervisee in exploring areas for development through reflective questioning and insight.
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🔋 Rebalance and Reinforce (Wellbeing) — Conclude by restoring confidence and motivation, reinforcing self-efficacy and confidence, and identifying forward steps.
This approach aligns directly with the Tripod Model of Reflective Supervision, maintaining equilibrium between learning, ethical accountability, and wellbeing.
By shifting from a mechanical “sandwich” to a dynamic reflective process, supervisors create a feedback environment that is safe, empowering, and genuinely transformative.
In this module, you will unpack each stage of the Reflective Balance Feedback Model, explore its theoretical foundations, and apply it to real-world supervision scenarios in Family Dispute Resolution and Mediation contexts.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
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Describe the Reflective Balance Feedback Model and its evolution from the traditional Feedback Sandwich approach.
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Explain how balanced, reflective feedback supports learning, accountability, and wellbeing.
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Apply the Reflective Balance Model to real mediation supervision scenarios.
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Demonstrate the ability to give feedback that promotes trust, growth, and reflective insight.
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Reflect on the advantages and limitations of this model in supporting mediator development.