The St Augustine of Canterbury School

Believing, Belonging, Becoming through Christ

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE ~ Why?

What are the advantages of Restorative Justice?

RJ provides everybody with the opportunity to be heard in a safe environment.

When would someone ask for a restorative justice conference?

When they are being bullied, upset, misunderstood, not heard, fallen out with friends, fallen out with a teacher ~ basically any conflict.

What happens in a conference?

Each person has an opportunity to say what happened, what they were thinking, what they were feeling, how they were affected and how other people were affected. No one is allowed to talk over someone else and each person is heard.

Do we have to be friends afterwards?

No. It's about understanding the affect one person has had on another and making the right choices of how to do things differently in the future. Just because people may not be friends doesn't mean they have to be enemies.

Does it work?

Most of the time yes. Not because everyone suddenly makes friends but because people begin to understand what it's like to be 'you'. Many times I've heard people say "I didn't realise", or "I didn't know, it would have made a difference".

Do I have to go to an RJ conference?

You're strongly advised to. If you choose not to, or you leave the conference half way through then an alternative means of sorting things out will have to be put in place.

What is the best thing about Restorative Justice?

Everyone has a chance to be heard equally, regardless of whether it's a member of staff that a student has taken to an RJ conference or different years, boys talking to girls, or vice versa. RJ equalises.

It is an easy option?

No, but it is worth it.