Restorative practice – Part 3: Interventions based on context and seriousness
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EmailBy taking various factors into account, interventions can be tailored more effectively to meet the specific needs and circumstances of a situation.
As stated by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), restorative practices can be categorized into five distinct practices that vary from informal to formal. The further along the continuum of need for repair or healing, the more formal the practice should be. These practices consist of: affective statements, restorative questions, informal conferences or small impromptu meetings, circles and formal conferences.
As we move from left to right on the continuum, restorative practices become more formal, involve more people, require more planning and becoming more structured. However, the majority of time (80% according to IIRP) should be spent on informal practices, as they are preventative and part of everyday life. This is where community is fostered and relationships are nurtured. Organizations should invest time and effort to cultivate social capital with young people, rather than merely reacting to issues by restoring relationships and repairing harm (being reactive instead of proactive).
Restorative practice approaches to conflict resolution and relationship-building
Affective statements are personal expressions of feelings in response to other’s behaviors. They aim to connect students with how their actions impact others. “I” statements, such as “I feel sad when you ,” help us move away from blame and towards understanding. While others may debate whether they acted in a particular manner, they cannot contest the emotional impact those actions had on another individual.
Restorative questions are used to help others reflect on how their behavior impacted others. Often, a few brief questions can help get them back on track. According to IIRP, those questions are:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who do you think has been affected by what you have done?
- What do you think you need to do to make things right?
Informal conferences (or small impromptu conferences) typically occur immediately following an incident. Using affective language and restorative questions, let each person reflect on how they added to the conflict and how they want the situation to be resolved. Reiterate to the child that they are respected but not their behavior.
Circles serve to foster community and enhance group cohesion. Young people can express their thoughts and discuss issues that are important to them. The circle has many purposes: conflict resolution, healing, support, decision-making, information exchange and relationship building.
Formal conferences are held in response to serious incidents of harm or misbehavior. It brings together the person who was harmed and the person who caused harm (and others who may have been impacted). This process requires much more planning and may take longer but is a beneficial behavior intervention strategy.
Recognizing that conflict is a fundamental part of life is essential for embracing restorative practices. Misunderstandings and differing viewpoints will always exist as young people do not always act in harmony with our expectations. Working through conflict is an important aspect of our role as youth development professionals. Restorative practices can assist in reshaping our perspective, allowing us to view conflict as a chance to promote learning and strengthen relationships.
To learn more about restorative practices, consider reading “Part 1: Instead of punishment” and “Part 2: Using circles to build positive relationships.”
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. To find out how to get involved as a youth participant or an adult volunteer, contact your county MSU Extension office.
