Social work mediators should remain impartial and neutral toward all parties and issues in a dispute. Social work mediators should enter into a dispute as a mediator only when they can maintain a stance of impartiality and neutrality. They should inform all involved parties of any development or circumstances that might contribute to the actuality or appearance of bias or favoritism, or that might interfere in any way with their impartial and neutral role. Impartiality refers to the mediator's attitudes toward the issue and people involved. An impartial mediator acts without bias in word and action and is committed to helping all parties rather than to advocating for any single person.
Neutrality relates to the mediator's relationship to the parties and the issues involved.
A mediator should have no relationship with parties or vested interests in the substantive outcome that might interfere or appear to interfere with the ability to function in a fair, unbiased, and impartial manner. Any such relationship must be disclosed to the parties before the start of mediation or as soon as knowledge of such a relationship occurs. If any of the parties or the mediator feels that such a relationship has a potential to bias the mediator's performance, the mediator should disqualify himself or herself from acting as a neutral third party. It is important that the mediator continue to maintain a neutral stance after the mediation is completed to avoid casting doubt on the legitimacy of the mediation that occurred and to ensure continued availability for future interventions as appropriate. The social work mediator shall not reveal to outside parties any information received during the mediation process.