Restorative Practice ProgrammePresentation to NTMAC,

September 2013

2007: Prevention and Early Intervention Programme, funded by Gov’t and Philanthropy;

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

Programme Objectives

To create a Restorative

Community in Tallaght West

RP training to key stakeholders

with responsibility for

children and young people to

create a common

language and approach

Accreditation of local trainers, and on going

support to promote

sustainability

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?

• Engaged with Hull RP Team to learn form the experience of developing a restorative city;

• Engagement with Senior Managers through awareness raising seminars (May 2010);

• RP training began monthly in 2010;• Trainees drawn from all agencies working with children and

young people as well as residents and young people themselves;

• St. Marks Community School became the 1st RP organisation in Tallaght in October 2012;

• All Ireland Restorative Practice Strategic Forum established to support sustainability re accreditation and quality assurance.

971 have received training of whom 722 live/work in Tallaght;

Of these: ◦ 670 have done the basic RP training;◦ 301 had done the Upsklling to become RP conference

facilitators;◦ 24 have done further training in the use of RP Circles◦ 16 have gone on to train as trainers;

48 people from Tallaght Travellers Youth Services (40 of whom are travellers, including 32 young travellers) did the basic training in February 2013;

To date, 109 young people in Tallaght West have done the basic training.

Breakdown of Training Figures

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 Outcomes43% 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;

Consider improvements in recruiting residents and adapting the training to be more inclusive for non-professionals;

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

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

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, 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

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

www.twcdi.ie

http://twitter.com/twcdi

http://www.facebook.com/ChildhoodDevelopmentInitiative