Restorative Justice Contains and Supports

No part of the process is left to chance. The trained Facilitator undertakes careful and detailed risk assessment to evaluate how two people might be brought together to repair harm, what are the risks of doing so - to them, a team, school, or workplace - and how those risks will be managed.  If the process is moving towards a face-to-face meeting, what is called a ‘Restorative Conference’, the outcomes which both ‘harmer’ and ‘harmed’ want to achieve are agreed with the Facilitator and they too are assessed for risk.  Whatever the harm, this is a no shame-no blame-no hurry experience.

In preparatory discussions, a typical exchange between the trained Facilitator and the harmed might be: ‘How will it be for you if they don’t want to apologize in person? ‘What would a written apology mean for you?’ and for the harmer, similar exchanges might include: ‘What do you hope will be the outcome of meeting face-to-face?’ and ‘After the process, how will you manage an accidental meeting in the corridor?’

At the Restorative Conference, ‘harmer’ and ‘harmed’ may have supporters alongside them; sometimes, only a supportive, physical presence, rather than an active participant. Supporters will have been included in the preparation with the Facilitator and their attendance risk assessed for suitability.  Before the conference, ground rules will have been agreed by everyone; speaking with respect or observing confidentiality, are examples of ground rules which may be used.

From this point on, the restorative process, which has been rehearsed by everyone and scripted by the trained Facilitator, takes place following its agreed direction.  Once the outcomes have been delivered, all parties sign an Outcome Agreement; whilst it is not legally binding, it is a document to which, in the event of further harm, reference can be made. For the immediate period after the process, facilitators will have negotiated a clear follow-up with both parties.