About a restorative approach

What is a Restorative Approach?

A restorative 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.

Working restoratively offers schools an alternative way to think about addressing discipline and behavioural issues and provides a consistent framework for responding to these issues.

The use of restorative practices in schools has been shown to reduce exclusions and contributes to a culture that allows greater learning to take place. Young people learn to recognise the impact of their behaviour on others and what they can do to amend their mistakes. The young people on the receiving end of challenging behaviour feel supported and taken seriously.

A restorative approach is a relational, mindful, culturally responsive, and trauma-sensitive approach that recognises a positive teaching and learning experience is largely determined by the quality of relationships among all members of the school community, in which high levels of expectation accompany high levels of support (Kerri Berkowitz, 2019).

A restorative approach is a philosophy, in action, that places the relationship at the heart of the educational experience.