Youth Justice Service - Restorative Practice

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice (RJ) brings together those harmed by crime, and those responsible for the harm. This enables everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward. RJ gives those that have been harmed the chance to have their say, to get answers to their questions, and to move on with their lives. RJ gives the child that caused harm an insight into the real impact of their behaviour, and an opportunity to make amends.

Types of RJ:

• Restorative conference – a planned meeting where the harmed person is able to ask the harmer questions in a safe venue.
• Restorative (shuttle) – a Restorative Support Specialist will mediate messages back and forth between the harmer and the harmed.
• Letters – a Restorative Support Specialist arranges for one or both parties to participate in letter writing.
• Virtual – a Restorative Support Specialist can arrange and facilitate for the harmer and harmed to communicate via online media (for example, Microsoft Teams or voice note).
• Video message – a pre-recorded video message will be shared between the harmer and harmed.
• Community Reparation - a structured activity, organised by the Youth Justice Service with the primary aim of repairing the effects of crime on communities.

What is the process of Restorative Justice?

A trained Restorative Support Specialist will arrange to meet with the person that has been harmed, to talk about the impact of what has happened, the consequences this might have had, and what could be done to make things better.

If someone has been a victim of youth crime in Birmingham and that child is given an outcome (either out of court or court order), you will be contacted to see if you would like to work with a Restorative Support Specialist. Currently, we don’t take referrals outside of this at this stage.

The person that has been harmed will be asked if they would like the facilitator to arrange a meeting, or some other type of communication, with the person who has caused the harm.

The facilitator will talk to the child that has caused harm about what happened, their understanding of the harm they have caused, and what they think they could do to make things better. The harmer will then be asked if they would like the opportunity to meet the person they have harmed, or to have some other type of communication with them.

Restorative Justice is a voluntary process that requires consent from both parties to proceed.

Who helps with Restorative Practice?

Restorative Support Specialists undergo specialist training in restorative justice. They provide a completely confidential and impartial service, and their aim is to make the experience positive for everyone involved.

What happens at a Restorative Justice meeting?

If everyone agrees, that includes the harmed, those responsible for the harm and two trained facilitators, a face-to-face meeting- called a conference-will be arranged. The meeting will be guided by the Restorative Support Specialists, held in a safe place and probably last for up to an hour and a half.

In the meeting, everyone will get to have their say. Both the harmed and those responsible for the harm can have an agreed person with them for support. A robust assessment of risk will have taken place prior to the meeting. Alternatively, if everyone agrees, the Restorative Support Specialist can arrange another type of communication between both parties.