Restorative practice

Restorative practice helps those harmed by crime and conflict to communicate with those responsible. This can help find a positive way to move forward.

What restorative practice means

Restorative practice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward. (Restorative Justice Council, 2015). 

How it works

A restorative response begins with the following questions: 

  • what happened? 
  • what were your thoughts at the time? 
  • what have your thoughts been since? 
  • how has this affected you and others? 
  • what has been the hardest thing for you?  
  • who else has been affected? 
  • what do you think needs to happen next? 

There are a range of direct and indirect restorative interventions.

Direct  

Direct restorative interventions include:

  • a restorative meeting between people affected 
  • mediation 

Indirect 

Indirect restorative interventions include:

  • apology letters 
  • impact statements 
  • shuttle mediation 
  • video links 

More information 

For more information send an email to communitysafety.casework@brighton-hove.gov.uk.