SCHOOLS CONFERENCING

In Australian schools, this process is sometimes referred to as “circle time”.  Many schools operate in this kind of round table/circle discussion with varying results.

According to David Moore of the Australian Association for Restorative Justice, (Moore, 2020) At this time, restorative practices and related restorative language in schools can still tend to be used indiscriminately in reference to good, indifferent, and poor practice. So-called “restorative-washing” promotes the mindset let’s fix things up, and set relations right without an adequate skillset. Some schools struggle to admit (or in some cases even to realise) that taking the short cut of posters, laminated cards and a talking stick can:

§  produce poor outcomes for the people directly involved now, and

§  “trash the brand”, so reducing the likelihood of good outcomes in future.

There is, fortunately, a growing awareness that restorative practices only work well when introduced as part of a whole-of-school approach to relationship-based education.(Reimer 2019)

In schools conferencing, there will be a variety of significant events involving a group of students, staff and or parents who are all impacted by the situation. The facilitator convenes a conference with lead in intake conversations with each party and provides process for each individual to speak about the issues in the group and share how it has affected them. The facilitator also follows up on progress later to empower continued ongoing

Moore, D. 2020, Review of contemporary restorative practice. Australian Association  for Restorative Justice (Antipodean) Winter 2020

Reimer, K. 2019, How to use restorative justice in your classroom and school. https://www.monash.edu/education/teachspace/articles/how-to-use-restorative-justice-in-your-classroom-and-school

If I can assist in providing facilitation services to your school – call me direct now on 0412 118750.

For a FREE diagnostic to determine if a Group Conference is right for your situation please click this link.