About Us

Conflict Resolution Service is a Canberra based not for profit organisation dedicated to preventing, managing, and resolving conflicts professionally, competently, and compassionately. Our core purpose is to preserve family connections, reunify and strengthen relationships, and restore family harmony by reducing conflict. We are committed to reducing the emotional and financial impact of conflict on the community by resolving family conflicts, reducing the risk of youth homelessness, mediating workplace conflicts & business issues, and facilitating family separations.

Core Purpose

Our Mission

To provide evidence based dispute resolution services for children, youth and family reunification.

Our Values

Professional

Integrity

CRS will work within an ethical framework based on values we share with our stakeholders. This includes respect, honesty, confidentiality and transparency.

Best Practice

Relevant industry standards will serve as a minimum benchmark for service delivery in ADR, training and governance. This ensures competency of staff and confidence in CRS’ service.

Impartiality

CRS will treat stakeholders equally, demonstrating objectivity, neutrality, freedom from prejudice and judegement.

Empowering

Empowering

CRS will empower clients to become self-determining to achieve positive outcomes.

Influential

CRS will advise and make recommendations to government, industry and our clients on the benefits of alternative dispute resolution.

Accessible

User-Friendly

CRS will provide clear, understandable, appropriate and practical processes and information in a welcoming and inclusive environment.

Available

CRS will provide equitable access to a reliable, timely, affordable and efficient dispute resolution service.

 

Enabling

Governance

Good governance practices will ensure CRS’ ongoing viability, accountability, stability and security.

Profile

CRS will increase community awareness and confidence in its services.

Resources

CRS resources will be developed, maintained and engaged efficiently in order to achieve optimum outputs, especially in areas of human resources, infrastructure and financial sustainability.

Client Centered

Flexible

CRS will ensure service delivery is responsive to the needs of individual client circumstances.

Relevant

CRS will ensure its programs and services are current and appropriate for client needs.

 

Our History

The vision to establish the Service commenced in the mid-1980’s following the successful development of the Community Justice Centres in NSW. Conflict Resolution Service (CRS) was formally incorporated on 8th August 1988. ACT Government funding was received in 1989, and shortly afterwards in 1990, CRS was registered as a business and began working from Acton House in Acton.

In the 1990’s, Conflict Resolution Service was a major player in the national mediation scene, stimulating national approaches to community mediation and developing competency standards. This commitment to having a voice in mediator standards continues to the present day with Conflict Resolution Service’s ongoing involvement and presence on national committees for mediator accreditation.

In 2000, Conflict Resolution Service relocated to the CREEDA Canberra Business Centre where it stayed until 2006, when it moved to the Griffin Centre, Canberra City until 2021 and now located on Townshend Street in Phillip ACT.

Funding

Conflict Resolution Services

Community Services Directorate, Community Services Program (CSP)

Funding to provide low cost and accessible community dispute resolution services involving:

  • Neighbourhood disputes;
  • ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal referrals;
  • Magistrates Court referrals;
  • SupportLink referrals.

Residential Tenancy Mediation

Funded by the ACT Government to provide mediation between landlords and tenants struggling to reach rental agreements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Safe and Connected Program

Community Services Directorate, Social Housing and Homelessness Program.

An early intervention program in collaboration with other community service providers to reduce youth homelessness specifically for young people under the age of 16.

Neighbourhood Dispute Program

Community Services Directorate, Community Service Program (CSP).

This program aims to assist the community and ACT Government agencies in the prevention and resolution of Neighbourhood disputes. 

Family Support Program

Community Services Directorate, Social Housing and Homelessness Program.

An early intervention service for young people up to the age of 20 who are at risk of homelessness due to family conflict.