Restorative Practices can be implemented proactively or responsively. Proactively, Restorative Practices are primarily used to build strong communities. However, Restorative Practices can also be used responsively to address impactful or challenging issues. Participation is completely voluntary. Common restorative practices include, but are not limited to, community building circles, responsive circles, and restorative conferences. Here are some examples of restorative approaches:
A community building circle is a versatile restorative practice that can be used proactively, to develop relationships and build community or reactively, to respond to wrongdoing, conflicts and problems. Circles give people an opportunity to speak and listen to one another in an atmosphere of safety, decorum, and equality. Typically, circles use a sequential format where a “talking piece” is passed around the circle allowing for each person, who holds that talking piece, to speak and be heard.
A restorative conference is a structured meeting between the students who have caused harm and those impacted by the harm. During the conference, they discuss and decide how best to repair the harm. The restorative conference usually takes place after an incident and the person who have been harmed and those who caused the harm are identified. Prior to the facilitation of the restorative conference, the facilitator(s) will meet with all parties involved to discuss the incident and to assess their readiness for the process. Unlike a community building circle, the restorative conference facilitator sticks strictly to a script and each participant is asked restorative questions. At the end of every conference, a restorative agreement, that includes all participants’ input, is drafted and outlines how the harm will be repaired.