Taking a restorative approach means working with families and individuals on an informal basis using restorative processes, proactively, to resolve specific issues and/or to prevent harm, as well as in response to an incident requiring reparation. Restorative practice relies upon the voluntary participation of all participants.
- Download: the social discipline window
- Download: restorative meeting outline
Training and support
Any restorative practice training and/or learning opportunities will be advertised through the One Reading Children and Young People’s Partnership newsletter. Please click here to sign up.
If you have any other questions or queries, or just want to know more, please email OneReading@brighterfuturesforchildren.org and we will get back to you.
Relationships, relationships, relationships
At its heart, restorative practice is all about relationships. Our connections with the children, young people and families that we work with, as well as each other, are so important for learning or change. Relationships don’t just ‘happen’ they need to be nurtured in our everyday interactions and steps taken to repair them when things go wrong. This inspirational TED Talk from Rita Pierson ‘Every Kid Needs a Champion’ reminds us of the importance of relationships with children and how we can all adopt a few simple things to not only connect with them, but each other.
TED Talk by Michelle Stowe: ‘Empathy: The Heart of Difficult Conversations’
Michelle Stowe was a teacher and is a passionate advocate for restorative practice. In this short TED Talk Michelle brings restorative practice to life, taking us through a restorative conversation and reflecting on the impact for both her and the young person.
Restorative Practice in Action – Brighton and Hove City Council
Brighton and Hove City Council have pledged to be a ‘restorative city’ and use restorative approaches across their work. This is intertwined with their relationship-based practice framework within Children’s Services. This short video takes you through a restorative conversation in the context of difficulties between neighbours.
The Social Discipline Window – ‘With’ not ‘To’
In the summer and autumn of 2019 Mark Finnis from L30 worked with leaders from across adult and children services in the Reading area introducing restorative practice. In this short video, Mark takes us through the social discipline window, which is a key aspect of restorative approaches and practice. The social discipline window is a great tool to reflect on and guide your work with children, young people and or families.
Restorative Justice and Restorative Practice – What’s the Difference?
Mark Finnis from L30 explains the difference between restorative justice and practice.
