Restorative practice approaches for schools

Overview

Restorative practice approaches can help build and repair relationships affected by conflict. 

Restorative practice is an evidence-based approach that can: 

  • reduce exclusions
  • increase feelings of responsibility and empathy
  • help staff to feel more confident in dealing with conflict 

We provide training and direct support to schools on using restorative approaches to: 

  • respond to specific conflicts
  • build relationships and prevent harm  

A holistic approach to wellbeing 

We work closely with our educational psychology and outreach counselling colleagues. Together we offer a range of approaches to help improve outcomes for children and young people experiencing difficulties with: 

  • learning
  • social and emotional development
  • wellbeing 

Service details

Staff training and support 

  • basic introduction sessions
  • full training in restorative facilitation
  • level 5 qualification through the University of Greenwich
  • mentoring and network groups for staff already trained in RA 

Bespoke advice and guidance 

We can advise you on how to use RA as a tool to develop and maintain healthy relationships within the school. 

Direct support

To help individuals to repair the damage and move on after specific conflicts. 

Independent restorative facilitation 

We can provide impartial facilitation for complex conflict situations. This might involve pupils, parents or staff. Facilitators are independent and support participants using a restorative process to help them find a positive way forward.

You can request this support by: 

  • referring an individual case when it arises
  • buying our ‘conflict clinic’ service for regular support with students, parents or staff who are experiencing conflict or relationship breakdown 

Peer support programmes

We offer a peer support mediation training programme that includes: 

  • strategic planning with school staff
  • training sessions for pupils
  • follow-up support to encourage pupil participation 

We can adapt the training to suit school priorities. Depending on your needs, we can focus on peer mediation and conflict resolution strategies or peer mentoring and buddy approaches. 

Anti-bullying initiatives

RA can provide a positive and effective response to bullying.  

We provide a range of interventions: 

  • staff training
  • cyber-bullying workshops
  • advice on all issues related to bullying and bullying prevention
  • bespoke support 

We often focus this work around national events, such as Safer Internet Day in February and Anti-bullying Week in November. This improves awareness and offers greater impact. 

Bespoke support

If you’d like us to design a bespoke package, contact us to discuss this further. 

Training courses

We offer a range of training courses, which are detailed in our service specification. 

Costs

You can find full details of charges for support and training packages in our service specification.

Service specification

Find full details of the support we offer in our service specification:

Contact us

Rachel Quine 

Restorative Approaches Team

Phone: 07872 047 166

Email: restorative@royalgreenwich.gov.uk