Restorative practice
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Once we’ve been asked about providing restorative practices, a facilitator will make contact to find out more about the situation. This is to help us assess whether the matter is appropriate for restorative practice and to get an idea of what services will be needed.
We then send out some more information about the process, a quote, and a contract.
Once we receive a signed contract we ask for the names and contact details of the people involved in the harmed relationship(s). A facilitator will make contact to explain the process, arrange a time and place to meet individually and confidentially. Participants are welcome to bring a support person.
Facilitators will meet separately with each party (and their support person). They will ask each participant about events that have happened, about their reactions and responses to events, how they’ve been affected, and what they think needs to happen to resolve any conflict or harm and repair the relationship.
After all parties have been interviewed, the facilitators will write an interim report which summarises what has led to the conflict or harm and any potential solutions that have been identified. Participants will have the opportunity to read and comment on the report.
The facilitators will also make a call about whether, or not, it is appropriate to go ahead with the conference. There are many reasons why it might not be appropriate to proceed with the conference. Our facilitators will never move forward with a conference if they think that doing so would cause more harm to any of the participants.
This is where parties meet face to face. The facilitators will guide the conversation to ensure that all parties feel safe to share how they have been affected by the conflict or harm. It’s an opportunity for parties to talk about what they can do to put right any harm, and repair their relationships so they feel valued, respected, and can work together constructively.
The facilitators use a range of tools to ensure parties feel safe, and that everyone gets an opportunity to speak. Facilitators do not tell parties what they should do to put the harm right as those in the conflict often have the solutions.
After the conference the facilitators will write a final report that records any actions that parties might have agreed to. These could include being provided with additional training, going to counselling, getting coaching, or attending a program.
Six weeks after the conference a facilitator will contact each of the parties to check in. The facilitator will ask how they are feeling, whether they feel the relationship has improved, and whether they have noticed an improvement in their own responses. The facilitator will check whether the agreement is working, or if it needs to be adjusted.