Developing a Restorative Community:

The Experience to Date in Tallaght West

ACJRD 16th Annual Conference4th October 2013

2007: Prevention and Early Intervention Programme, funded by DYCA and The Atlantic Philanthropies;

Tasked to design, deliver and evaluate services to improve outcomes for children and families in Tallaght West and inform policy and practice;

Seven independent evaluations published; 2013: Area Based Response to Child

Poverty: integrate proven models into mainstream services.

About CDI

What is Restorative Practice?

Restorative Practices are about working WITH people rather than doing things TO

or FOR them

RP is about offering high levels of support, whilst

challenging inappropriate behaviour and encouraging acceptance of responsibility

RP Programme Objectives

To create a Restorative

Community in Tallaght West

The delivery of training in RP to key stakeholders

with responsibility for

children and young people

Accreditation of local trainers, and support to organisations and people seeking to

work restoratively

Programme Aims Improved interagency collaboration amongst frontline staff; Improved relationships between service providers and residents; Increase in use of a common approach across sectors and

disciplines; Increased confidence of frontline staff in dealing with conflict

situations; Improved staff morale within participating organisations; Increased satisfactory resolution of neighbourhood disputes in the

Community Safety Initiative (CSI) Pilot Sites; Increased reporting of anti-social behaviour and crime in the CSI

Pilot Sites; Increased confidence amongst participating parents in managing

their children’s behaviour and being solution focused; and Improved capacity amongst participating children and young

people for dealing with conflict and managing problems.

What Did The RP Programme Do?

• RP training began in 2010 (as part of our CSI);• Training provided monthly;• Trainees drawn from all agencies working with children and

young people as well as residents and young people themselves;

• To date (September 2013), just over 1,000 people trained;• 16 local trainers accredited;• St. Marks Community School became the 1st RP

organisation in Tallaght in October 2012; • 5 more RP organisations by December 2013;• All Ireland Restorative Practice Strategic Forum established.

Evaluation2010-2012:

By the Child and Family Research Centre,National University of Ireland, Galway.

Independent mixed method evaluation contracted to Child & Family Research Centre, NUIG;

Pre- and post- training surveys, site observation, interviews and focus groups;

Overseen by international Expert Advisory Committee.

Evaluation Methodology

Main Impact OutcomesFrequent use of Restorative Practice• 55% work; • 46% School; • 41% community.

75% have experienced others using Restorative Practice in work, school and community

87% better management of conflict

Main Impact Outcomes

43% reduction in disputes with greatest gains made in the workplace

Significant improvement in people’s ability to manage conflict with greatest gains made in interagency work and between neighbours

Significant improvement in relationships with greatest gains between organisations and their service users

The RP Programme

was well organised and delivered with fidelity by CDI

RP training was well received

by participants and

participants could see its

value

In the main, progress was made towards the attainment

of training targets

Main Process Outcomes

The areas where

improvements are needed include….

Ensuring more residents are

recruited to the training

programme

Improved supports to

individuals and organisations

that have received training

Main Process Outcomes

CDI’s commitment to the implementation of the RP Programme should be maintained;

Further consideration should be given to how improvements can be made in recruiting residents and also adapting the content of the programme so as to be more inclusive for non-professionals;

Trainees should be given more support on how to apply RP in different situations;

Key Evaluation Recommendations

That CDI extend the programme to other agencies and groups with a child or youth remit and consider extending the programme to other areas;

Given the positive impact of the RP Programme in reducing workplace conflict, organisations should be supported to implement the RP Programme; and

CDI should continue to monitor the impacts of the programme over time.

Key Evaluation Recommendations

Policy:Relevant Outcomes and Key Recommendations

A range of sectors including education, justice and youth work, have found that the use of RP in their day-to-day business has improved working relationships and assisted in achieving better outcomes for the children and young people they work with;

Given the findings relating to improved productivity and reduced work-based conflict, the RP programme can very usefully inform the Government’s public service reform agenda.

Key Policy Outcomes

That all children and young people be dealt with restoratively by the adults in their lives.

That RP training modules be included in all teacher training courses

That relevant professional associations and support organisations recognise RP as a core skill for the continuing professional development of people with responsibility for the well-being of children and young people.

That RP comprise an integral element of training for all those working with children, young people and communities.

Key Policy Recommendations

That consideration be given to the opportunities for RP to support the public reform agenda, particularly in relation to the reduction of work-based conflict.

The establishment of a national framework of support for the development and promotion of restorative practices

This framework to include a national office for coordinating the development of capacity, systems and infrastructures which support the growth, evolution and quality of RP and build their sustainability.

The further development of accredited training for restorative practices and the establishment of a national system for the accreditation and professional development of RP trainers.

Key Policy Recommendations

CSI examplesoGroup of young peopleo Family

Youth Service examplesoBenefits of informal restorative practices

School examplesoTeachers feedbackoYoung people’s feedbacko Parents feedback

How Has It Worked???

Current Status Working towards

launch of Tallaght West as a Restorative Community March 2014; Developing sustainable mechanisms for the on-going implementation of RP;

Dissemination of learning to relevant stakeholders nationwide.

Any Questions?

Canoeing Circle 2012

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