Building Community by Preventing

and Resolving Conflict through Restorative Practices

Dáil Briefing16th October 2013

2007: Prevention and Early Intervention Programme, funded by DYCA and The Atlantic Philanthropies;

Tasked to design, deliver and evaluate services to improve outcomes for children and families in Tallaght West and inform policy and practice;

Seven independent evaluations published; 2013: Area Based Response to Child

Poverty: integrate proven models into mainstream services.

About CDI

What is Restorative Practice?

Restorative Practices are about working WITH people rather than doing things TO

or FOR them

RP is about offering high levels of support, whilst

challenging inappropriate behaviour and encouraging acceptance of responsibility

CDI’s RP Programme Objectives

To create a Restorative

Community in Tallaght West

The delivery of training in RP to key stakeholders

with responsibility for

children and young people

Accreditation of local trainers, and support to organisations and people seeking to

work restoratively

What Did The RP Programme Do?

• RP training began in 2010;• Training provided monthly to all agencies working with

children and young people as well as residents and young people themselves;

• To date (September 2013), just over 1,000 people trained, including 109 young people;

• 16 local trainers accredited;• St. Marks Community School became the 1st RP

organisation in Tallaght in October 2012 followed by SDCC Social Work Team September 2013;

• 5 more RP organisations by December 2013;• All Ireland Restorative Practice Strategic Forum established.

Restorative Practices Ireland• An all-Ireland network to promote RP as a key approach to

prevention and early intervention within the context of a life cycle approach;

• To develop the potential for RP to support inclusion within communities and across sectors;

• To identify potential for collaboration and joint developments;• To develop capacity, systems and infrastructures which support

the growth and evolution of RP, as well as build their sustainability;

• To progress and support locally based accreditation and training options;

• To offer those interested in the strategic development of RP a space for reflecting, crystallising, sharing and deepening understanding.  

Evaluation2010-2012:

By the Child and Family Research Centre,National University of Ireland, Galway.

Main Impact OutcomesFrequent use of Restorative Practice• 55% work; • 46% School; • 41% community.

75% have experienced others using Restorative Practice in work, school and community

87% better management of conflict

Main Impact Outcomes43% reduction in disputes with greatest gains made in the workplace

Significant improvement in people’s ability to manage conflict with greatest gains made in interagency work and between neighbours

Significant improvement in relationships with greatest gains between organisations and their service users

How Has It Worked???

Restorative Practices Toolkit

Informal Formal

Affirmative language &

affective (feelings)

statements

Formal restorative conference

Groupor circle

Small impromptu restorative

conversations

Affective (feelings)questions

A range of sectors including education, justice and youth work, have found that the use of RP in their day-to-day business has improved working relationships and assisted in achieving better outcomes for the children and young people they work with;

Given the findings relating to improved productivity and reduced work-based conflict, the RP programme can very usefully inform the Government’s public service reform agenda.

Key Policy Outcomes

Any Questions?

Canoeing Circle 2012

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