RESTORATIVE CONFERENCING

 At the heart of every Restorative Conference is the practice of collectively making agreements

Restorative Conferencing is appropriate for specific incidents of harm in which there are impacts to others and where the offender takes responsibility for their actions and feels remorse.  Also appropriate are situations between family members, youth, neighbors, community members or employees, where harm has occurred, and relationship repair is needed.

A Restorative Conference brings the wrongdoer and all stakeholders who choose to participate, together in a safe, structured setting, for a face-to-face dialogue.  With the assistance of a trained facilitator, participants share their experiences and gain a better understanding of what happened and a deeper understanding of the impacts.  Together, participants address the question of what needs to happen to make things as right as possible.  With the guidance of the facilitator, agreements, or an amends plan, is created, in which the impacts and needs of those impacted can be addressed and the wrongdoer learns what they can do to make meaningful amends and prevent future offending. In the process, participants may experience profound insights, learning, the awakening of empathy, and healing.

For more information about Restorative Conferencing, email Jane@RestorativeResources.org.   

---

Print out the guidelines for beginning a restorative conversation: