Restorative practice is a social science that studies how to improve and repair relationships between people and communities. It is a way of working with conflict that puts the focus on repairing the harm that has been done and includes all parties involved. The purpose of restorative practice is to build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, and repair relationships. Restorative practices are used in diverse fields such as education, counseling, criminal justice, social work, and organizational management.
Restorative practices are an umbrella term used for strategies that help proactively build community and relationships and manage conflict and tensions in ways that treat humans with dignity and respect. Circle practices, a form of restorative practices, aim to develop a safe community and build relationships, while restorative justice, perhaps the most well-known form of restorative practices, is more reactive in nature and aims to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and restoring relationships.
Restorative practices are used in education to encourage behavior that is supportive and respectful. When the whole school community is on board, restorative practices can reduce the frequency of behavior incidents and improve school culture. Informal restorative practices are simple, low-key ways educators and staff can use to build relationships and maintain a safe and supportive environment where healthy relationships are nurtured.
In summary, restorative practice is a way of working with conflict that puts the focus on repairing the harm that has been done and includes all parties involved. It is used in diverse fields such as education, counseling, criminal justice, social work, and organizational management. Restorative practices are an umbrella term used for strategies that help proactively build community and relationships and manage conflict and tensions in ways that treat humans with dignity and respect.
