Mediators can mediate more effectively. Like Connectors they have detailed information about a range of services and provisions and how to access them, but are also trained to respond accurately and sensitively to people's needs. They may also have the power to make funds available to clients so that they can access and communicate with distant service personnel more effectively. Still, though, they are only equipped to provide 'stop-gap', emergency and low level services. Of course, what they can do is valuable and is often exactly what is needed in a given situation.
Generalists go a few steps further in that they have more advanced knowledge and skills.
Because of this training they can group their information, resources, knowledge and skills into more abstract concepts, such as 'field' and 'method' categories. Fields might include, for example, child welfare, home and community care and people with disabilities. Methods, on the other hand, may include casework, group work, community organisation, community development, social planning and client representation. All of this means that they can be more independent and creative in their work than their multiskilled colleagues and more autonomous in their practice decision-making. They are less reliant on consultation with and direction from organisations external to their community.