Restorative Practice Training
Restorative Practice recognises that the ability to manage relationships is central to lifelong learning and success. The Socratic Method (asking questions) encourages self-reflection, creates the space to be heard and challenges negative behaviour with regards to its impact on others. This process cultivates the capacity to build and maintain significant relationships both in the home, at work, and in the community for the betterment of society.
The International Institute for Restorative Practices professional development imparts practical knowledge and skills that individuals can use immediately in their personal and professional life. Supported by extensive research, applied restorative practices produce consistently positive outcomes in a wide variety of settings. Positive outcomes include:
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Improved social behaviour.
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A decrease in bullying and violence in schools.
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Improved workplace morale.
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Reduced recidivism in juvenile and criminal justice.
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Enhanced family engagement in social services.
Using a Restorative Practice framework allows the practitioner to create the conditions that allows others to:
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Make sense and meaning of where they are at and how they got there
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Work out what matters and what's important
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What needs to change and what their role in that change is
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Know how to build and sustain healthy relationships
Restorative Journey's Training
Introduction to Restorative Practices and Using Circles Effectively (Day 1-2)
The first component of the training explores the practical strategies required to build strong, healthy relationships. These strategies can be implemented immediately, during intercommunication between students and family members, and with clients, employees and colleagues.
Day One & Two
Day one and two provides participants with the foundational knowledge of restorative practice theory and highlights its effectiveness in achieving positive behavioural outcomes. Our trainers offer a comprehensive overview of the history of restorative practices and its relationship to restorative justice. Interactive experiences help participants obtain a full understanding of the fundamental premise of restorative practices, that individuals are:
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happier,
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more co-operative,
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more productive,
and are,
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eager to make positive changes, when people in a position of authority do things 'with them' rather than 'for them' or 'to them'.
We put theory into practice with experiential training, with the opportunity to apply skills practice with 'circles' that are a core element of restorative practices. Trainers demonstrate how affective language is used to guide conversations and how it can be used to repair and strengthen damaged relationships.
Circles
Participants are taught how to hold group discussions in a circle to facilitate meaningful conversation; the setting encourages full participation from everyone involved. Through video, practice and discussion, participants identify reliable methods for using circles to address relationship and behavioural issues and to build a sense of community. Circles are useful in any setting, from education to human services and organisational management.
Facilitating Restorative Conferences (Day 3-4)
On days three and four, participants explore the formal restorative justice process for addressing harm and wrongdoing. With the use of instructional videos and experiential activities, attendees learn how to facilitate a restorative conference to bring together victims, offenders and their support network in a non-confrontational setting. This provides an opportunity whereby everyone impacted by 'wrongdoing'[2] can share how they have been affected and can have a say in how to repair the harm caused. The formal supportive circle is used to address damaging, harmful incidents in a positive manner. The practice delivers more positive outcomes than the standard punishment commonly utilised in education, criminal justice, youth work, organisational and other settings.