A restorative relational approach is a well established process of dealing with conflict that works with all the parties involved, hearing the different stories, exploring thoughts and feelings and finding mutually agreed solutions.
We can also act as external facilitators and come to you to carry out a restorative meeting if you are experiencing conflict.
What is a Peaceful, Restorative, Relational Approach?
A peaceful, restorative, relational approach in schools works by building relationships, maintaining relationships and repairing relationships when harm has been caused.
A restorative approach offers an alternative way for schools to think about addressing discipline and behavioural issues and offers a consistent framework for responding to these issues. In schools, we train both the adults and the children in ways to use dialogue to respond to disagreements and incidents. Restorative, relational approaches to behaviour and relationship development are growing in popularity throughout the UK and Peacemakers is contributing to a strong evidence base nationally related to increased attendance and attainment, decreased exclusions and improved Ofsted inspection reports.
What are the benefits of a
restorative approach
in schools?
It provides a safe environment and opportunities to discuss problems
It engages participants with dignity and respect
It encourages participants to develop their ‘thinking & feeling’ responses
It develops emotional intelligence through listening & acknowledgement
It leads to more shared understanding
It promotes learning and shared responsibility
It can encourage appropriate behaviour change
Leads to a sense of fairness and respect within the school and the community
One Day Introduction to Restorative Practice
This introductory restorative, relational practice training course is for people working in education or community settings.
It will provide participants with the background knowledge and skills that are required to use informal restorative practices in their day to day work. The course will introduce participants to the philosophy and language of restorative practices. It also engages participants in identifying how to apply this innovative and relational way of dealing with conflict into their daily work. The training day is experiential with a mix of theory, skills practice and small group work people have come to expect from Peacemakers. The training will cover a variety of restorative practices.
Restorative Circles and Support
Big events can happen both inside and outside of school. We can facilitate a safe process to help people to come together, discuss what has happened and discuss what can be done to make things better for those involved.
A Restorative Meeting
If something has gone wrong and it looks like people might like the opportunity to put things right and repair their relationships, then a facilitated restorative meeting could help. At a restorative meeting, all people involved in the incident are invited to come together, listen to the impact of the problem on all the parties and work together to come up with some solutions. This meeting is carried out by a trained restorative facilitator who makes sure that everyone gets heard equally.
The difference between mediation and a restorative meeting is that mediation can be used where there is a conflict or dispute about a specific incident; whereas a restorative meeting is designed to address the impact of the harm on a relationship.
Class Restorative Circle
A class restorative circle might be held to discuss something that’s happened at school or an event in the media. A restorative meeting might be held to talk through a difficult exclusion. This could involve parents and staff. In this process, everyone is respected, is treated equally and has the opportunity to speak without interruption. It is a chance for people to tell their own stories, to both speak and listen in a deeper, more heartfelt way. It is an opportunity for people to find their own solutions and repair harm.
We can support staff in school to run their own restorative circle or, if staff would like to be involved in the circle and have their views heard, we can facilitate for you.
