Restorative Approaches at The British International School Budapest Restorative Justice 4 Schools

What are we going to look at today? What are Restorative Approaches? What we are trying to achieve? How can parents support us?

What are restorative approaches? Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

The 5 R’s RJ is based on five key features Respect Responsibility Relationships Repair Reintegration Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

Restorative solutions Blame and punishment Put things right

What can RJ do for a School? Happier and safer school Develop emotional literacy conflict resolution skills truth telling responsibility taking Creates effective boundaries and accountability Mutually respectful relationships Enhance the learning environment Address bullying behaviours

How Would This Look Restorative Language Check In and Check Out Restorative Chats Classroom Conferencing Restorative Justice Conferencing Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

Restorative Approaches Fair Needs focused – Looks at the needs of those who have been affected Solution focused - Looks at what needs to happen to put things right Create accountability

So what is going to change? Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

Everyday Behaviour – Building Skills Informal Formal Everyday Behaviour – Building Skills Restorative rules Restorative language Check in and out Peer Mediators Everyday Conflict –Behaviour Issues Time out Restorative chats Restorative classroom conference Informal conference High Level Conflict – Alternative to Exclusion Formal conference Restorative sanctions

What happened? What do you think now? Restorative Language What were you thinking? How can we help you put this right? What happened? What will you do differently next time? How could you put this right? Where could we start to put it right? What do you think now? I can help you put this right?

Examples of Restorative Questions What happened? /What else happened? / Where were you when this happened?/What happened just before this? What did you want to happen?/What were you trying to achieve? What were you thinking when this happened? / What did you think when X ….? How can we put this right? / What needs to happen to put this right? / What can you do so X feels happy that this won’t happen again? What could you do differently next time? What needs to go on the contract?  How will we know that it's working?/What would that look like to me? What needs to happen to ensure that this works? What difference will it make to you if this works/doesn’t work?

When harm is caused to your child? When considered appropriate your child will be given the opportunity to: Have their say Be heard Be part of the solution Be central to the response by the school Receive a genuinely remorseful apology An acknowledgement that what happened to them was wrong Explanation from the wrong doer

When upset is caused your child will be asked To explain what happened If they need to put something right Apologise Think about how their behaviour affects others and how they can change it Make a contract Change their behaviour Have a follow up meeting to show that they have done the things they have promised to do

Why sanctions do not always achieve the results we would like? Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

So Why Do We Need RJ? It wasn't me She was asking for it He started it Other teachers let us do it It’s not fair they didn't listen He lied about ..... She didn't tell them about .....

Sorry for what….? Punitive Restorative That they…. They got caught They got punished That people think badly of them Which can lead to If only they had been treated fairly they wouldn’t be in this position Or that they… Hurt someone Disappointed someone Affected the learning of others Let themselves and their families down Which can lead to That they need to put it right That they need to take responsibility Punitive Restorative

Restorative Detention or Resolution Circle for those causing harm Check in Restorative rules considered and agreed Resolution circle to look at What has happened? Who's been affected What things needs to happen to put things right? Or if they have already met with their harmed person, how can they put this right? (if this has already happened) If one of the participants can not think of an answer the question is opened up to the circle for support and the pupil needs to choose two of the circles suggestions to resolve their own conflict Check out reflecting on what has been agreed will happen next – this can be recorded and signed This is for wrong doers only– it does not replace this meeting but for some pupils it will give them the opportunity to consider how they need to put things right and for some schools can still be viewed as a detention 

How can parents support us? Restorative Justice 4 Schools Ltd

How can you help us? Find out about restorative language and use it whilst in school. Talk to your children about how they can put things right when things have gone wrong. When something has happened to your child that is not right please try to support them in accepting an apology and a change of behaviour from the wrong doer. Read through any contract that your child might have been part of and ask how it is working and make sure they feel it is being kept to.

When something goes wrong Take time out - lets everyone calm down and think about what needs to happen Stay calm and take a deep breath Use even tone of voice and be aware of body langauage Use open questions Try to find out what happened rather than who is to blame

Ask all those involved What happened? How have people been affected? What could put this right? What will you do differently next time?