Our process

Our values of being respectful, fair, honest, safe, multi-partial, inclusive, and confidential underpin all our work as does a process called Restorative Practices. 

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Restorative Practices can be used to resolve incidents of bullying in schools or in the workplace, to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings in communities as well as in the aftermath of crime, where it is often referred to as Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is proven to reduce re-offending alongside reducing stress levels in people harmed through crime. When used in schools, Restorative Practices can reduce exclusion rates and improve attainment levels, as well as promote a more positive learning environment for staff and students. In the workplace, Restorative Practices can reduce absences, contribute to team building and improve staff morale.  Participation is always voluntary and with consents from all participants.​ Restorative Practices offers people the opportunity to speak about: 

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• The Facts - what happened?

• The Consequences - who was affected?

• The Future - what needs to happen now to enable all involved to move on in a safer way?​*

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​​Restorative Practices happen all over the world and follow the same three stage process. We also talk about the person harmed instead of victim and the person responsible instead of offender. This is to take away unhelpful labelling and to recognise that someone has been harmed and someone is responsible for causing that harm. ​Often for the person responsible, the experience can be challenging as it confronts them with the consequences of their behaviour. Whilst for those harmed, communicating with the person responsible for harming them can be a huge step towards understanding more about what happened, knowing they have been heard, and beginning to move forward in their lives.

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*(for ‘Facts, Consequences, Future’ terminology we are indebted to: Brookes, D. (2002). Restorative Justice Training Manual. SACRO.)

 

What kind of crimes or situations can Space2face help with? ​

Restorative Practices can potentially be used for any type of harm or crime. No-one knows the impact of even a seemingly minor incident, only the people involved. There are certain offences which need to be facilitated with extra sensitivity and skill such as gendered violence and hate crime. However, with appropriately trained facilitators Restorative Practices can still support those harmed by these types of offences. Clair (our Director-Practitioner) and Gael (one of our Restorative Practitioners) have undertaken additional training to work with those affected by gendered violence. Our team also has expertise in hate crime and political violence.

 

The following short film shows how Restorative Justice can be used in a situation of crime. In this case there is recurring trauma for the person harmed, and the person responsible learns of this.