Restorative

justice in
youth
offending
teams
Information pack
February 2015
Contents

3 Foreword by The Rt Hon the Lord McNally

4 Introduction by Jon Collins
5 Restorative justice – the facts
6 Julie and Anthony’s story
8 Restorative justice in youth offending teams –
frequently asked questions
11 Restorative justice in action
12 An overview of restorative justice in Surrey
by Chris Stevens
14 Northamptonshire: partnership working
between a case manager and restorative
justice practitioner
16 Dave’s story – a victim’s perspective
19 Henry’s story – facing the music
20 Restorative justice in Warwickshire – Jack and
Sam’s story
21 Ensuring confidence in the quality of
restorative justice
22 From crime to completion by Pete Wallis

About the RJC

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is the

independent third sector membership body for
the field of restorative practice. It provides quality
assurance and a national voice advocating the
widespread use of all forms of restorative practice,
including restorative justice. The RJC’s vision is of
a restorative society where everyone has access
to safe, high quality restorative practice wherever
and whenever it is needed.

© Restorative Justice Council 2015

T: 020 7831 5700
E: peter@restorativejustice.org.uk
www.rjc.org.uk
Company no 4199237
Charity no 1097969
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 3

Foreword from the Chairman of the

Youth Justice Board
The criminal justice demonstrating, it can form the foundation of
system is all too often early interventions with young people on the
criticised for its failure cusp of criminality, working upstream to help
to stem high levels divert them from a criminal path. Schools,
of reoffending; for for example, are increasingly aware of the
the ever-increasing advantages a restorative justice approach can
costs to keep have for their students. Some now use it to
offenders in prison; help resolve conflict between young people,
for failing to protect increase their self-awareness, and consider
the community from alternative – more productive – resolutions to
offending; and for their issues.
leaving victims of crime hurt and angry, with
no sense of support or recourse. What attracts The Youth Justice Board (YJB), together
me to the concept of restorative justice is that with YOTs, has a good record of promoting
it can respond to offending – and to those who and practising restorative justice in local
offend – in ways that meet the needs of all communities around the country. Further, the
the people affected by criminal acts. It is not YJB – using funds provided by the Ministry
a silver bullet or cure all; but well-prepared of Justice, through their Victims Surcharge
restorative justice carried out by trained pot – secured £2.15m to be granted to YOTs.
practitioners has an important part to play in The purpose of this grant is to increase
our criminal justice system. opportunities for victims to participate in
safe and effective restorative justice activities;
To me, it represents a return to the wisdom of and to further develop YOT practices, in line
viewing conflict, and the consequences arising with the standards set by the Restorative
from it, as an opportunity for individuals to Justice Council.
learn and grow from their actions. It empowers
victims and communities. It recognises the I want to see this good work continue, and
value of the offender acknowledging their encourage all YOTs to learn about restorative
acts, showing remorse for their actions and justice and find innovative ways to implement
the damage they’ve caused; and being willing it, working with their area partners. The YJB’s
to work to reintegrate into the society – the online Effective Practice Library already has
community – that they have harmed. examples of how it can work, and showcases
some of the good ideas that YOTs themselves
Research has already shown us that when a have come up with to implement it. Do look
young person commits a crime and ends up there and get in touch with those YOTs who
in custody, the positive effects of restorative have contributed. They’ll be only too willing to
justice are able to deliver sustainable outcomes help and advise.
downstream; which continue to work through
the gate, and into the community upon that The more we practise it across the country,
young offender’s release. the more embedded restorative justice
becomes into the mainstream of the criminal
But the beauty of the principles of restorative justice system. I firmly believe that can only be
justice lie in the fact that they don’t only a good thing for all of us – as individuals, and
apply after a crime has been committed by as a society.
a young person.
The Rt Hon the Lord McNally
When used with imagination, as some Chairman of the Youth Justice Board
youth offending teams (YOTs) are already for England & Wales
4 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Introduction

One of the At the RJC – the independent membership

undoubted successes body for the restorative justice field – it is
in the criminal justice our role to promote access to high quality
system in the last restorative justice for all victims of crime in
two decades has England and Wales. And while a great deal of
been in youth justice. progress has been made in the youth justice
Crime committed system, there is more that could be done. In
by young people is Northern Ireland, for example, restorative
down, the number justice has been placed at the heart of their
of people entering response to offending by young people, with
the youth justice system is down, and the impressive results.
number of young people in custody has
dropped dramatically. Youth offending teams This information pack is intended to support
(YOTs) have been integral to this success YOTs in making greater use of restorative
and a key part of it has been their use of approaches. It features articles showing the
restorative justice. benefits of restorative justice as well as articles
from those who are pushing at the boundaries
The benefits of restorative justice are well
of restorative justice work with young people.
known and supported by robust evidence. It
It includes accounts of restorative justice from
empowers victims and gives them a voice in
the point of view of practitioners and case
the criminal justice process, helping them to
managers, demonstrating the benefits it can
move on with their lives. It also helps offenders
bring to their work with young people.
to turn their lives around by giving them an
opportunity to hear from their victim, to take
But most importantly it also includes the
responsibility and to make amends.
voices of young people who have offended and
victims who have taken part in a restorative
The use of restorative justice need not be
justice process. These are the people most
restricted to a particular type of offence or
affected by crime. Restorative justice gives
offender. It can challenge the behaviour of
them the opportunity to work together, to
persistent and serious offenders but it can
move on, and to find a positive way forward.
also provide an opportunity to divert young
people from the criminal justice system when
Although restorative justice has become a
they have committed minor offences and
part of the work of most YOTs in England and
antisocial behaviour.
Wales, it is sometimes seen as an add-on to
their core work of rehabilitating young people.
By both diverting young people from the
In truth, restorative justice is an essential part
justice system and contributing to lower
of the process. Our vision is for restorative
levels of reoffending, restorative justice can
justice to take a central role in the work of
save a significant amount of money. It is also
every YOT, with every victim and offender
popular with the public. Polling conducted
offered the chance to take part. We hope this
by the Restorative Justice Council (RJC) found
resource will help to make this vision a reality.
that three quarters of the public support the
concept of restorative justice. This figure rose Jon Collins
to 84% when only those who had been victims Chief Executive Officer
of crime were asked. Restorative Justice Council
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 5

Reoffending:
Restorative justice reduces the frequency of
reoffending by 14%.

Saving public money:

For every £1 spent on restorative justice £8 is saved
through a reduction in reoffending.

Giving victims a voice:

85% of victims are satisfied or very satisfied after
meeting an offender face to face.

Victims say: “That [restorative justice] was my

turning point. When I realised what
effect my crimes had on other people,
I felt ashamed and embarrassed.”
“I was always scared stiff before every
“For me, restorative justice turned meeting. But then after every meeting,
the tables and I don’t feel like I’m a I came out as happy as anything. I felt
victim any more. I’m in control now.” like I’d got a chance to explain
my situation.”
“It gives you closure. People are never
the way you imagine them to be, and
it really is worthwhile looking them
in the eye and telling them the hurt
and the upset they’ve caused you.” Offenders say:
“It was so liberating to have a voice,
and to know he’d have to listen to
what I was saying.”
6 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Julie and Anthony’s story

After Anthony, 15, lost his temper during a game of football and assaulted
another boy, he was offered the chance to take part in a restorative justice
conference. Here, Anthony and his mum Julie explain how it helped them
to move on from the incident and deal with his behaviour.

Julie: Anthony has had problems with his temper for She told me restorative justice might be able to make
a while. I’ve had difficulty with his behaviour since the situation better. I thought it might make me feel
he started high school and I wasn’t getting the help I better and I’d be able to apologise to Ben. I said I’d
needed. He was in a bus shelter once with his friends like to take part.
and they were teasing him. Rather than hit one of his
friends he decided to punch the bus stop. He actually Julie: Cate visited us at least three or four times
had to go to hospital and have an operation on his before the meeting and she phoned several times
hand to straighten it. That scared me because I didn’t too. I think if we hadn’t had the contact beforehand
want him to do any harm to anyone, but in the end we would have really struggled but because we had
that is what he did. that preparation we knew exactly what was coming.

Anthony: I was playing football and there was a lad Anthony: They came round and asked me how I felt.
there called Ben*. He had come out with me and my They explained what was going to happen at the
friends a few times before but I didn’t really know meeting. It was about a month later that the meeting
him well. During the game I thought that Ben had went ahead. I went along with my mum and Ben was
kicked me but he hadn’t really done anything. I got there with his mum. I was nervous before going in, I
really angry. I just lost it for no reason whatsoever. didn’t know how he would react.
After the game as he was walking off I chased after
him and as he turned around I hit him in the face and When I went through to see Ben, he wasn’t angry.
cut his eye open. After that I just ran home. He seemed confident. He told me about how he had
felt at the time. It made me really upset to think
About a week later, I saw the police. I hadn’t spoken that he had had to go through all of this because of
to Ben since it happened but in that week I was really something I had done.
panicking because I knew the police were going to get
involved. I was also just upset about what I had done I told Ben that I had been angry for no reason and had
which made me feel a lot worse. I felt horrible about taken it out on him. I told him I had lashed out over
what had happened. nothing. I had been shocked and upset after I had hit
him and I told him that was the reason I had run off.
Julie: At the police station they showed us I apologised to him for what had happened and he
photographs of Ben that had been taken at the told me he had accepted the apology – he even said
hospital and that frightened me to death. Ben’s injury ‘thank you’ to me.
was really bad and there was a lot of blood. It was
a big gash on his eyebrow and it had actually gone It felt good to be able to speak to him about what
down to the bone. had happened. I felt like I had got it all out of my
system and it was all over and done with. If I saw Ben
There was a time after the offence when Anthony again I think I would be able to talk to him because of
wouldn’t go to school he was so worried, and that’s restorative justice.
not like Anthony as he usually has good attendance.
It wasn’t just because he was ashamed of what he Julie: I didn’t expect it to, but the meeting had a
had done, it was also because he was scared of his really relaxed atmosphere. After the questions, we
own actions. He was scared and didn’t want to hurt all had tea, coffee and biscuits and had a chat. Ben’s
anyone else so he locked himself away. mum gave Anthony a hug. She said she didn’t expect
Anthony to be who he was. I suppose when you are
Anthony: I was given a youth caution and that’s how the victim’s mum meeting your son’s attacker, you
I met Cate Fitzpatrick at Wigan Restorative Solutions. don’t expect to meet a quiet boy. She said she was
She talked me through how I was feeling and I really surprised meeting Anthony and that she felt
told her I was scared and shocked after what had that something like this could happen to anyone.
happened. I told her that I wished I hadn’t hit Ben.
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 7

The whole process had a big impact on Anthony. because it would have all been on my mind. I would
Meeting Ben has made Anthony take responsibility definitely recommend for other people to go through
for his actions. He’s really calmed down a lot. Now restorative justice. I would really like to thank Cate
there are different organisations behind us, including and everyone else who helped for everything
the school. Cate was really helpful in setting this up they’ve done.
and she has continued to visit and support Anthony.
Julie: This sort of incident can happen at any time
With Anthony’s caution, he would be arrested and anyone who gets into a situation like this needs
immediately if he committed another offence and support. Left to our own devices, without restorative
he would have to go to court. I think going through justice, I really can’t imagine how I would have
restorative justice has made that much less likely. been able to manage. I don’t know what we would
have gone through, me and Anthony and especially
I would say to anyone who is offered the chance Ben and his mum. Just going to court and paying
to take part in restorative justice to go along to a fine doesn’t solve it. You need this kind of
the meeting. It gives you a chance to apologise emotional support. Restorative justice has given
and it gives you a chance to see how your actions a lot to Anthony.
have affected another person. It also gives you the
opportunity to put things right and make sure you *Ben’s name has been changed.
don’t do anything like that again. You can bring peace
to the situation. The RJC would like to thank Wigan Restorative Solutions Team, and
Anthony and Julie for sharing their story with us.
Anthony: I don’t think I would ever do something like
this again. It made me feel awful to hear about what
Ben had gone through because of me. If I hadn’t been
able to speak to him it would have been a lot worse
8 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Restorative justice in youth offending teams –

frequently asked questions
What is restorative justice? Restorative techniques can also be used in the day to
day work of all staff in YOTs. Restorative questioning
Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet and language can be used by case managers and by
or communicate with their offenders to explain the referral order panel members as part of the panel
real impact of the crime - it empowers victims by process. Restorative approaches can help young
giving them a voice. It also holds offenders to account people to think about the effect their crime has had
for what they have done and helps them to take on others and to get them to consider taking part in
responsibility and make amends. Ministry of Justice one of the formal restorative justice activities listed
(MoJ) research demonstrates that restorative justice above. Family group conferencing, in which families
provides an 85% victim satisfaction rate, and a 14% decide together how to deal with a problem, can also
reduction in the frequency of reoffending. be used between young people and their families to
deal with bad behaviour.
“I’d tell my mates to do restorative justice if it came
up. It’s a chance to ask as many questions as you What stage can restorative justice be used within
want, and I think it’s good to get information. It the work of youth offending services?
gives you a chance to stand up for yourself.”
Young victim of a street robbery. Restorative justice can be used for any type of
sentence and at any time within the process. Below
are some examples of where it can be used within
What forms can restorative justice take in the work of YOTs.
youth justice?
• Y outh Conditional Caution – Taking part in
Restorative justice activities can take many forms. restorative justice can be one of the conditions
These include: attached to a youth conditional caution. MoJ and
YJB guidance states that restorative justice should
• A victim offender conference – This involves a form part of a youth caution wherever appropriate.
formal face to face meeting between victim and • Pre-sentence – The government has recently
offender led by a trained facilitator. Supporters introduced legislation to allow for courts to
for both parties can also attend, usually family defer sentencing after a guilty plea in order for
members. restorative justice to take place. Potentially suitable
• A community conference – This is similar to a cases can be recommended by YOT staff and they
victim offender conference but involves members may deliver the process.
of the community who have been affected by a • Referral Orders – Restorative justice can form part
crime. of a referral order. Referral order guidance from
• Indirect communication – Sometimes referred to the MoJ and YJB states that referral order panels
as shuttle restorative justice, this involves messages should be based on restorative principles. It also
being passed back and forth between victim and states that it is essential that referral order panels
offender by a trained facilitator. The participants allow victims the chance to become involved in the
do not meet and messages can be passed via letter, process. The best way to do this is by offering them
recorded video or audio. the chance to take part in a face to face restorative

Victim offender conference Community conference Indirect communication

Facilitator Facilitator
1 1

Victim’s
Offender
supporter Facilitator
Offender Community

Offender Victim

Offender’s
Victim
supporter
Offender’s Facilitator
supporter 2
Facilitator
2
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 9

justice conference. conference. This can be useful for future work with
• Y outh Rehabilitation Order – Restorative justice the young person and allows the case manager to see
can form one of the requirements of a youth what is agreed between participants.
rehabilitation order.
• During custody – Restorative justice can also “After the restorative justice, the young person’s
be delivered with young offenders within a self-esteem improved, her fear of school went away
youth offending institution or after their release and she is now attending full time and enjoying
from custody. it. This effect that restorative justice can have on
offenders is why it is so important for my work.”
Other methods to deal with offences committed by Sandy Hilderley, case manager at Northamptonshire
young people include Youth Restorative Disposals Youth Offending Service.
(YRDs). YRDs are used in some areas as an out of
court disposal by the police to deal with low level
crime. Surrey Police and Youth Support Service have How do victims benefit from restorative justice?
also introduced a Youth Restorative Intervention,
which deals with crime committed by young people Many victims find that restorative justice helps them
restoratively without giving them a criminal record. to come to terms with their experience and move on.
You can find more information on this on page 12. Victims who engage in the process can experience
reduced post-traumatic stress, higher levels of
satisfaction with the criminal justice system and less
What conditions must be met in order for restorative fear of repercussions. The opportunity to participate
justice to take place? may allow them to move on from the crime.
There are many examples of victims who have an
Restorative justice can only take place when three improved quality of life after engaging in a restorative
conditions are met: intervention. This is because restorative justice allows
1. There is an identifiable victim or victims. The victims to become involved directly in the justice
person who takes part in the restorative justice process and empowers them by giving them a voice.
process does not need to be the direct victim of the
crime. It could be a family member, representative “It gives you closure. People are never the way
of the community or someone else who has been you imagine them to be, and it really is worthwhile
affected by the crime. looking them in the eye and telling them the hurt
2. The offender accepts responsibility and has made a and the upset they’ve caused you.”
guilty plea (at any stage of the proceedings). Mother of a victim of harassment.
3. The victim, offender and any other participants
consent to take part in a restorative justice activity.
How do offenders benefit from restorative justice?

What should victims and offenders expect to happen Restorative justice gives offenders the chance to
at a restorative justice conference? come to terms with their actions, make an apology
and move on. Research shows that 80% of offenders
During victim offender conferences, participants who have met their victims face to face were satisfied
meet to discuss a crime in which they have been with the process and almost three quarters would
involved. The discussion is led by a trained restorative recommend it to others in their situation.
justice facilitator from the YOT and supporters for
both victim and offender can also be present. The
facilitator will lead a discussion on the crime by asking Which offences are appropriate for
what happened, who was affected, how they were restorative justice?
affected and what can be done to repair the harm
that was caused. The offender is asked first, followed The RJC supports the use of restorative justice for any
by the victim. The participants may decide on an offence, provided that it is facilitated by a practitioner
outcome agreement outlining actions to be taken to with appropriate training and experience. Although
try to repair the harm caused. some categories of crime can pose particular issues
for practitioners, such as domestic violence and
The RJC advises that case managers working with sexual offences, we believe there is no category of
the young person who has offended also attend the crime where restorative justice cannot be applied if
10 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

the circumstances are right. It is important to look What evidence is there that
at the specific circumstances of an offence and restorative justice works?
the views of the victim and offender rather than
the category of crime itself. Restorative justice Government research has shown that restorative
practitioners should decide on whether it is justice has a positive impact on both victims and
appropriate based on individual cases. offenders. The government funded a £7 million,
seven year research programme into restorative
“The concept of restorative justice is always justice which showed that:
applicable, that is we ask: What are the harms • 70% of victims chose to take part in face to face
that have happened? What are the needs that have meetings which led to 85% victim satisfaction rates.
resulted? Whose obligations are they? How do we • 78% of victims said that they would recommend
engage people in the process? To what extent can restorative justice to other victims (only 5% would
we engage people in the process? Those questions not).
are always valid.” • The research also showed that face to face
Professor Howard Zehr, widely known as meetings reduced the frequency of reoffending
‘the grandfather of restorative justice’. by 14% and that this reduction in reoffending was
highly cost effective for the criminal justice system,
saving an average of eight pounds for every one
What training do YOT workers need to use pound spent on delivering restorative justice.
restorative justice?
“Victims’ satisfaction with the handling of their
Training in restorative justice is the bedrock of quality cases is consistently higher for victims assigned to
practice, particularly for practitioners who facilitate [restorative justice conferences] than for victims
face to face meetings. All workers who facilitate whose cases were assigned to normal criminal
face to face meetings should undertake facilitator justice processing.”
training. Workers not directly involved in facilitating Excerpt from Campbell Systematic reviews (2013:10)
formal restorative justice activities can also benefit
from training in restorative practice. Different levels
of training can be obtained including training for In terms of reoffending, how does restorative justice
managers and introductory training for workers who compare to other criminal justice interventions?
will not facilitate restorative justice conferences. This
can allow them to see the benefits of a restorative Restorative justice consistently outperforms
approach and give them the ability to use restorative traditional criminal justice processes alone across
approaches in their work. a range of offence categories of varying types and
seriousness. No other intervention tested in the same
The RJC has an online Trainers Register which way as restorative justice has demonstrated such a
lists providers who have signed up to our Code of substantial effect on reoffending.
Practice for Trainers. To find a trainer please visit:
www.rjc.org.uk/trainers
How do you keep people safe during
Experienced facilitators may wish to consider restorative justice?
becoming accredited by the RJC which provides
them with the opportunity to demonstrate through Restorative justice only works if it is done well.
independent assessment that they are meeting Victims and offenders have to know that they are at
national standards. More information can be found the centre of the process and trust the facilitator that
here: practitioners.rjc.org.uk it will be safe and meet their needs. For this reason
national standards, training and accreditation are
“I have really valued the process of accreditation as crucial. The RJC has published Best Practice Guidance
it has given me confidence in my restorative work for practitioners and provides accreditation for
and made me take time to think about what I do facilitators and a quality mark for services. Any YOT
and why I do it.” worker who facilitates restorative justice activities
Deirdre Leask, Southwark Youth Offending Service. needs to be properly trained.
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 11

Restorative justice in action

Restorative justice can have life-changing effects for both victims and
offenders. Below we look at three cases where restorative justice has
helped people to move on from an incident of crime.
Multiple dwelling burglaries Sexually harmful behaviour Street robbery
Kelvin’s story Paula’s story Aaron’s story

“Going to prison, that’s just “I felt like a weight had been lifted “I’d tell my
running away and getting away off me, and that wouldn’t have mates to do
from it all. But to actually go into happened if I hadn’t been offered restorative
a room and sit down knowing that restorative justice. I know some justice if it came
they’re going to walk through that people don’t think it should be up. It’s a chance
door in a few minutes time and used in cases of sexually harmful to ask as many questions as you
want to know why you stole from behaviour, but I think it should want, and I think it’s good to get
them – that’s scary for me. Every be up to the victim to make that information. It gives you a chance
time, it kind of broke me, but it choice, or their power to make to stand up for yourself.”
made me as well.” decisions is being taken away,
again.” After Aaron was robbed by some
boys who had been bullying him
Paula was walking her dog in the at school, a restorative justice
early evening when a teenager meeting with one of the gang
exposed himself to her. Although gave him a chance to regain his
her initial reaction was nervous confidence. Aaron said: “I decided
laughter, this was quickly followed to meet him because I wanted
by anger, and then real fear. When to face my fears. I wrote some
the teenager was caught, Paula questions down. I really thought
Kelvin was kicked out of his nan’s spoke to Jodie from Essex YOT. about them, because I wanted to
house as a teenager. At 16, he Paula said: “In everything that had get the best possible answers.”
started taking cocaine and began happened, none of it had been The conference had a big impact
offending to pay for his habit. He about my emotional reaction. on Aaron, and his mum felt that it
ended up in a young offender’s The police were amazing, but had increased his confidence. She
institution for seven months after it’s their job to deal in facts, not said: “Before the meeting, Aaron
being convicted of burglary. On his feelings. Jodie listened – many was quite frightened about going
release his youth offending team times – to how out of the house. I was having
worker recommended restorative I felt, and what to walk him to and from school,
justice to him. Kelvin ended up I’d gone through just in case someone was waiting
meeting a number of his victims emotionally. For outside for him. That’s changed
which had a profound effect on the first time, now. He goes and plays football
him: “I was looking in their eyes I was given a with his friends, and he’s better
and thinking I don’t know these voice and a about going out on his own. He’s
people, they don’t know me, chance to make got more confidence since the
they’ve never done anything decisions. I knew meeting. He’s moved on.”
wrong in life, as far as I can tell, that restorative justice was the
and I’ve taken their things. A lot of way forward.” Paula went through
people would have said, ‘No, I’m indirect restorative justice via
not doing that’, but I tried to give video messages which helped her
them the best explanation I could, to move on from the incident. She
and apologise for what I’d done.” said: “For me, restorative justice
has been incredibly empowering.
I’ve regained control by turning a
negative, frightening experience
into a positive, life-changing one.”
If you would like to read more case
studies like these please visit:
www.rjc.org.uk/rj-in-action
12 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

An overview of restorative justice in Surrey

Chris Stevens has been involved in the restorative justice field for over
two decades. He is currently the senior manager in restorative practice
with Surrey Youth Support Service. Here Chris talks about their aim to
foster a restorative culture within the service and their work to introduce
a Youth Restorative Intervention in Surrey which has reduced reoffending
and saved money.
I lead on restorative teenagers in a pathway that will lead to their
service development successful transition to a productive adulthood.
as a senior manager
within Surrey’s Services To achieve this aim Surrey Youth Support Service (YSS)
for Young People. I have helps young people overcome a range of barriers to
direct responsibility enable them to feel a part of their community, to
for restorative youth have influence and make a contribution, to be valued
justice in partnership and to value others. We have a key role, particularly
with other criminal with Surrey’s most disadvantaged teenagers, to
justice stakeholders support young people and their families with a range
and I contribute to the of issues that stop them playing a full and positive
development of restorative justice in the adult arena. part in their communities.
My role has also been about developing restorative
approaches in every area of our work – supporting To be a successful participation service we strive to be
vulnerable young people, restorative care of looked a restorative service and a family service. Participation
after children, restorative work in and with schools and restoration are two sides of the same coin and
and other education settings, our work with families, our approach to participation is informed by the
group work and social care more widely. As we same values that underpin restorative practice:
learn to be more effective providers of restorative relationships based upon respect, inclusion, and
services I have increasingly come to value the understanding. We also have a responsibility to
significance of developing a restorative culture victims of crime to offer opportunities to repair harm
within our organisations and the importance of that has been done, just as we have a responsibility
restorative leadership. to families to work with them to repair relationships
which have been damaged. Our success greatly
We carry out two key statutory functions for the local depends on our ability to help families succeed.
authority: preventing young people’s involvement in
offending and ensuring that all those aged 16-19 are The things that we aspire to for young people, their
participating in education, training or employment. families and the communities in which they live, are
Full participation, however, is more than undertaking the same things that we aspire to for ourselves. It’s
these statutory requirements. It is about a range important that as members of Surrey YSS we feel that
of activity that will engage our most vulnerable our contribution is valued, that we can influence our
work and the development of the service, that we are
fully engaged, that our skills are being used, and that
we feel proud of what we do and proud to be a part
of the service. As such, our restorative agenda is as
much about restorative organisation and culture as it
is about service delivery.

As an organisation committed to developing a

restorative culture we are better able to support
our restorative service delivery in our approach to
building relationships, with young people, in our work
with families, community members and partners.

In recent years we have enjoyed a great deal of

success as a result of our investment in restorative
practice. This includes significant reductions in the
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 13

number of young people who are homeless, the youth crime in the last four years. The independent
number of looked after children featuring in the evaluation of the YRI also reports a saving of almost
criminal justice system and the number of young £3 for every £1 spent.
people who are not in
education, training or An independent evaluation of the YRI in Surrey The results of Surrey’s
employment. found: YRI speak for themselves,
• it led to an 18% reduction in reoffending and after many years
Surrey has transformed • 91% of victims were satisfied with the process in the restorative
its youth justice • the YRI costs on average £360 to administer justice field it is this
landscape with the compared to an average £600 for alternatives1 achievement of which
introduction of our Youth I am most proud.
Restorative Intervention
(YRI). The YRI is run jointly between the youth The full evaluation of the Youth Restorative
support service and Surrey police. It is a pre-court Intervention can be found here:
disposal and an alternative to other options such as www.restorativejustice.org.uk/resource/surrey_yri
the youth caution, the youth conditional caution or
prosecution. With a few exceptions it is the default Chris Stevens
disposal for offenders who are under the age of 18 Senior Manager Restorative Practice and
and admit to the offence. Countywide Services
Surrey County Council
The YRI is strongly associated with significant
improvement in the experience of justice for the 1 Youth Restorative Intervention Evaluation, Final report, 2014 –
Surrey public – a more than 50% reduction in youth Alan Mackie, Jack Cattell, Neil Reeder and Sarah Webb.
crime and a more than 60% reduction in serious
14 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Northamptonshire: partnership working between a

case manager and restorative justice practitioner
When Julia* was given a referral order for her part in an assault at
school, her case manager Sandy Hilderley thought that restorative justice
would help. Sandy worked with Liz Fowler, restorative justice operations
manager, to bring Julia together with her victim, Amy*, in a face to face
conference. Here Sandy and Liz describe the process of bringing Julia and
Amy together, and how it helped both of them to move on from the assault.

Sandy: The incident happened one lunchtime when Liz: While Sandy was talking to Julia, I got into contact
Julia was with two friends of hers. Her friends had with Amy. I went and met Amy and her mum and
begun to pick on another girl, Amy. There was some discussed different options. Amy immediately said:
history between Amy and Julia, and Amy had bullied “I want to meet with Julia. I want to meet her.”
Julia in the past.
Both girls had expressed a willingness to take part
The situation escalated and Julia’s friends ended up in the process and Sandy and I took it forward from
assaulting Amy quite seriously. They pulled her hair there. We went through a similar preparation process
and then kicked Amy while she was on the floor. for both of them. We have a leaflet which explains
During all this one of Julia’s friends had said to her: in basic terms what restorative justice involves. I did
“Are you taping this?” and Julia had started recording a joint home visit with Sandy to Julia’s home and
the assault on her mobile. That was the only part she went through the leaflet. I then visited Amy and went
played in the situation. through the same process. We also checked out the
supporters who would be attending with them, Amy’s
Liz: All of the girls were taken to court and mum and Julia’s mum’s partner.
pleaded not guilty, but on the day of the trial
they changed their pleas to guilty and they all Sandy: Because we suspected Julia may have dyslexia,
received referral orders. I got the script that would be used during the meeting
and I went and actually role-played it with Julia so she
Sandy: Back in those early days when I started would know what to expect. When she came to the
working with Julia it was quite hard. She struggles conference itself, she was well prepared.
with her confidence. Although she has never been
diagnosed with dyslexia, I suspect she might have Liz: The conference went exceptionally well. The
it. Julia found it really difficult to talk about the meeting was very emotional for everyone involved,
offence, and engaging in conversation with her especially Julia. She acknowledged the harm she had
was very difficult. caused and apologised at the end.

However, during my first interview I recognised that Interestingly when Julia apologised to Amy, Amy
Julia was really remorseful about what she had done apologised to Julia as well. We suspect it was to do
and I immediately thought that restorative justice with some of the previous things that had happened
could help. Julia was still at school with Amy and they between them. We didn’t pursue the background
had already had some contact. of their conflict in the conference because we were
very much there to discuss the assault and how it
Liz: Julia’s friends had been excluded for the had affected Amy, but I found it interesting that Amy
assault but Julia wasn’t, and there had been some apologised and Julia knew what that apology was for.
low-level communication between Julia and Amy The girls decided they wanted to go back to being
at school. They were in some of the same classes friends. They were never the best of mates but they
together and they both felt awkward about the had certainly repaired their relationship.
situation. We hoped that restorative justice would
help the situation. The conference probably lasted about 40 minutes,
but after it was finished we spent another 40 minutes
Sandy: Julia showed genuine remorse right from the sitting together having some refreshments. The
beginning, both in my first interview with her but also informal part of the conference was probably more
at the police station when she was arrested. I spoke important than the formal part. It was amazing.
to Julia about restorative justice and she was keen on
it immediately.
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 15

The meeting had a big impact on Julia. We had her Liz: This isn’t the first case in which Sandy has used
referral order panel immediately after the conference restorative justice in her work with young people
and she was on cloud nine. I think it had given her an because she has seen the effect it can have. Sandy
idea of the harm she had caused, and that it didn’t works closely with our team to bring these benefits
only affect Amy but her family as well. to the young people she works with.

She also seemed proud of herself for going through We achieved the Restorative Service Quality
the process. Her communication about the offence Mark (RSQM) at Northamptonshire YOS recently
had improved and she was able to tell the panel and I think that gave us confidence in what we
meeting how the conference had gone and that she have been doing. We have been very proactive
was able to recognise the harm she had caused. in embedding restorative justice into our work
and our case managers have all been trained in
Sandy: I think it made a big difference to Julia restorative practices.
emotionally. After the meeting she was so much
calmer in our sessions. The offending behaviour We still have a massive journey to go on with
work I was doing with her was so much easier, she restorative justice but we are enjoying it. And it’s not
was able to talk about what happened and she didn’t just the restorative justice team that are going on this
have this stomach-churning fear and anxiety that she journey, it’s the whole organisation. We don’t see
had had before. restorative justice as an addition to our work here.
It’s a central part of what we do.
Liz: Both Julia and Amy felt the conference had really
helped them. In the follow up after the conference Sandy: We all really believe in restorative justice as
Amy said to me that it was the best thing she could it is so helpful for victims. They often have this fear
have done and the situation was a lot better at that they have been targeted and the crime is going
school. Julia said that meeting Amy had taken away to happen again. Going through the process, victims
all of the awkwardness they had felt before and she often see that the image they have in their minds of
felt the conference was even better than she had the offender isn’t correct. And the healing for the
imagined it would be. victim is terrific as well. Its impact is massive.

Sandy: Because she had been so nervous about Liz: I am certain that restorative justice reduces
going into school, Julia was having trouble with reoffending by giving offenders a perspective on
her attendance and her mum nearly had to go to how the victim feels. I have no doubt that Julia will
court over it. But after the restorative process, her not reoffend.
self-esteem has improved, her fear of school went
away and she is now attending full time and enjoying * Julia and Amy’s names have been changed.
it. This effect that restorative justice can have on The RJC would like to thank Liz and Sandy for speaking to us.
offenders is why it is so important for my work.
16 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Dave’s story – a victims’ perspective

Dave is the manager of a youth centre which was burgled and vandalised
on Christmas night. The police quickly arrested Michael for the offence
and he was given a youth conditional caution. Dave and some of his staff
agreed to meet Michael in a restorative justice conference. Here Dave
explains how the conference was useful for him and his staff, and how it
helped Michael to address his behaviour.

Last Christmas night the youth centre that we look The police picked the burglar up quite quickly
after got burgled by an extremely bad, incompetent and they wouldn’t tell us much except that he was
burglar – it had all of the hallmarks of some idiot known to them, but not for any major crimes. We
breaking in rather than anything malicious. The also heard that he was a teenager. With that in mind,
burglar cut himself when he broke the window then we made a suggestion to the police. Rather than
proceeded to leave bloody footprints and handprints putting him through the criminal justice system,
everywhere, giving the police DNA and other ways of which would involve going to court and getting a
tracing him. further mark on his record, we felt we could appeal
to his better nature.
At the time, lots of people were giving up their
evenings and weekends to help renovate the youth We got a call from Northamptonshire Youth Offending
centre’s building and we’d really turned it around. Service’s restorative justice co-ordinator, Darren, who
We’d spent £90,000 on the project, some of which told me about restorative justice. Darren explained
was raised by a local primary school and church – that the offender would come along and would have
there was a great sense of community spirit. To find to sit down in front of us – most likely with an apology
out – on Christmas night – that someone had thrown – and that Darren would ask questions in a careful
a brick through the window and completely trashed way to enable a discussion. I went back to the youth
the place was horrible. centre’s board of trustees and everyone agreed that
this was the best approach.
A lot of our staff and volunteers were really angry
– we’d been working on the project for the benefit The lad, Michael*, said yes immediately and we were
of the local young people, and one of them had impressed – facing up to people takes courage.
come along and wrecked the place. We had to
keep reminding ourselves that the damage was What I was really worried about was that he would
probably only done by one or two people, and wasn’t swagger in, clearly not caring about being there. But
representative of all the young people in the area. it wasn’t like that at all. When he came in he looked
a bit pathetic – he had his head down and he looked
sorrowful. He was clearly embarrassed and awkward,
and was showing remorse. You need to see that. You
need to feel that the person who’s offended against
you does care. And once we’d shown him around, he
was even more apologetic.

Michael said: ‘I didn’t realise what this place was –

I just thought it was an old building.’ There was a
huge difference between when he came in and
when he left. By that time we were all shaking hands
and smiling.

When you’re a victim of a crime it hits you in the pit

of your stomach sometimes. You feel a bit sick and
you have this anger boiling up inside you. When you
meet somebody and they say, ‘I did it and I’m sorry’,
it takes all of that away so it’s quite a cathartic thing.
It’s therapeutic for the victim.
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 17

We agreed that Michael would come and do some angry, and also for Michael who seems to have
work for us. He was meant to do six hours, but he positively gained from the process in terms of
kept coming back, painting and decorating far beyond addressing his issues and behaviour. If this can stop
what we’d agreed. It transpired that he was actually people like him committing further offences, when
quite handy. clearly punitive approaches do not, then it’s an even
greater reward all round.
We started chatting to him and finding out about his
background, which hadn’t been easy. The education If you can make young people who’ve offended face
system hadn’t worked for him because he’s not up to what they’ve done and look the victim in the
good with letters and numbers, but if you give him eye and apologise, that‘s probably the thing that
something practical to do, that seems to be his forte. will make them grow up. I think that people – even
We got on very well with Michael and he worked criminals – are fundamentally decent, they‘ve just
alongside the other volunteers. taken the wrong path.

We feel that restorative justice has been a good * Michael’s name has been changed.
approach for our many volunteers who felt really
18 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 19

Henry’s story – facing the music

As I waited for Rachel to arrive I was absolutely terrified. I knew what

would happen but it was terrifying doing it – actually facing her. She was
the one I stole from. It went right to my guts. I knew then that this just
wasn’t me – I had to change. I think back on that day and it gives me the
attitude that I need to never go back to how I was before.

At 14 I moved schools and it was soon after that when waiting for me. We waited for Rachel to arrive. Those
a friend pressured me into trying ketamine for the few minutes were horrible.
first time. It became my addiction. I left school with
one GCSE, and left my family to live with a friend in a The meeting
caravan. I thought I was alright because I was next to
my drugs – I could get them easily and that was what Rachel came in with Peter, who was running the
I cared about. meeting. I could tell she was angry. She told me how
furious she was when she found out about the theft
Eventually I ran out of money. I started to go out at and how I had been taking advantage of Tom. She
night, breaking into cars and sheds, stealing anything asked me how I could have done what I did. She told
I could sell. me how badly I had abused Tom’s trust and how
important it was that I didn’t do it again, to him or to
I hung around with a guy called Tom*. Tom had a anyone else. She told me that he was afraid of going
learning disability and I could convince him to do out and making friends. It made me realise what the
anything I wanted him to. One night I didn’t have drugs had made me become.
anywhere to stay so I convinced Tom to let me stay at
his mum’s house. The next morning while Tom was Although she was fuming about what I had done,
in the shower I started looking through his mum’s she was still concerned about me. She was supportive
things. I found a ring and a Rolex watch, which I stole. of my addiction and wanted me to get better. Rachel
I made Tom drive me away, hiding his mum’s things being nice made me feel even worse about what
under my jumper. I’d done.

Her things equalled money, money equalled drugs. I agreed to do some outdoor work as reparation and
When I was using, it shut me off from the world and that I would get myself off the drugs. I apologised to
everyone in it. I had no emotions, no feelings. I sold Rachel and said I would write a letter of apology to
the watch and ring to a dealer for drugs. Tom. I told him not everyone was like me and that he
could find friends who would be there for him and
Facing the music wouldn’t treat him the way I had done. I told him how
sorry I was and that I was never going to do that to
I got caught a couple of weeks later. At court they him or anyone else again.
gave me a nine month referral order. I had to go to
see someone once a week and talk about my drug After meeting Rachel I felt a mixture of shame about
problem. I would go along to the meetings and be how I was but also relief that I’d been strong enough
like: “Yep, yep, yep.” An hour later I’d go out and be to do something about it. It felt good to write to Tom
using again. I wasn’t enjoying life. I was suffering from and I hope that he will understand that not everyone
depression and I had never felt so lonely. will be like I was.

As part of the referral order, I agreed that if Tom or his Quitting the drugs wasn’t easy. I stopped stealing to
mum wanted to meet me I would do that. Rachel*, fund my habit straight away but it wasn’t until Peter
Tom’s mum, decided she would like to meet me. set up a meeting reuniting me with my dad that
On the day of the meeting I stood outside the Town I managed to go to rehab and get clean. Now I’m
Hall where it was going to take place, shaking. I was studying to become a tree surgeon and I’ve got a job,
absolutely terrified about going in and seeing her, helping a local tree surgeon, which I love. I’m back
with everyone knowing what I had done. with my family now - they can support me and I can
support them too. It’s all looking up at the moment.
I decided to go in and face the music. I walked into
the room where my referral order worker was *Tom and Rachel’s names have been changed. Our thanks to Henry
for sharing his story. The above is an abridged version of the original
publication in Resolution magazine.
20 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

Restorative justice in Warwickshire –

Jack and Sam’s story
“I was given a choice to get involved in the meeting. They didn’t want
me to feel forced in any way, but straight away I thought: ‘I want to do
this. I want to see Sam and I want to apologise and sort everything out’.”

Jack and Sam met just over a year ago and have and after thorough preparation they took part in a
become close friends. But it’s an unlikely friendship face to face meeting, with Jack’s mum and Sam’s dad
considering that they first met when Jack assaulted there for support. The meeting had a huge effect not
Sam after a misunderstanding over a girl. Jack was just on Jack and Sam but also on their families.
arrested for the assault and referred to Warwickshire
Youth Justice Service. Jack and Sam were offered the To watch Jack and Sam’s story please
chance to take part in restorative justice. Both agreed, click the play button below.
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 21

Ensuring confidence in the quality of

restorative justice
Youth offending services have been at the forefront of innovation and
supporting standards in the field of restorative justice. Their workers
have driven demand for the RJC’s Direct Accreditation process and
our Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM). Here we look at how
these products have helped youth offending workers and hear from
organisations and individuals who have achieved them.

We all know that restorative justice works. It can have meet those standards. Dianne Gibson, an RJC
a positive effect on offenders and help victims move Accredited Practitioner at Leeds YOS, which also
on from harmful incidents. The RJC wants to make holds the RSQM, said: “The Restorative Service
sure that restorative justice is always done well so Standards and RSQM are extremely important as they
that people harmed by crime can be confident that are recognised by the government. It was a massive
they will get a safe, effective service that meets their achievement for us to gain the RSQM and something
needs. Practitioner Accreditation and the RSQM, we are really proud of.”
which is supported by the Ministry of Justice, give
the public that confidence. The RSQM was launched in January 2014 and a year
on it is gaining momentum. At the time of writing, 14
The RSQM is a quality mark for organisations that organisations from a range of sectors hold the award
provide high quality restorative services. It measures and applications to complete the process are growing
organisations’ restorative work against the six steadily. Of those 14, five YOTs have achieved the
Restorative Service Standards and ensures that RSQM with six others currently working towards it.
victims and young people who offend feel safe and In addition to this over 30 YOTs have now started the
are able to fully benefit from restorative processes. free self-assessment, available on the RSQM website -
Graham Doubleday works with young people at the first step to achieving the quality mark.
Wigan Council Restorative Solutions Team which has
achieved the RSQM. He said: “I think standards are The RSQM can provide an opportunity to celebrate
really, really important. Nationally there are a lot the good work of staff. Graham Doubleday says:
of services delivering restorative interventions, but “Achieving the RSQM was a massive achievement
whether they are meeting the needs of the victims, for Wigan because we are a little town in the north-
young people and communities is still unclear. The west of England and we have achieved a really
RSQM is the only true and proper way to actually significant national accreditation. We see this as
measure that.” the start of a journey though, because there will be
learning from this, which can help us develop our
The Restorative Service Standards and the RSQM practice even further.”
were developed by the RJC in consultation with the
field after the Ministry of Justice Restorative Justice Becoming an Accredited Practitioner is also extremely
Action Plan identified the need for a clear set of important and provides an opportunity for individuals
standards and a quality mark for services which to demonstrate that their work has been assessed
against national standards. Practitioner Accreditation
can help practitioners to have confidence in their own
work. Dianne Gibson says: “Achieving accreditation
boosted my confidence and it also reassures victims
and offenders that I know what I’m doing. Going
through the accreditation process gave me a belief
in myself and my work which I can put across to case
holders. It made me a bit more assertive”.

To find out more about becoming an

Accredited Practitioner, please visit:
http://practitioners.rjc.org.uk

To find out more about the RSQM, please visit:

www.rsqm.org.uk
22 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

From crime to completion

Restorative justice is fast becoming integral to the work of youth offending

teams across the country. Here Pete Wallis looks at different approaches to
embedding restorative practices into youth justice.
Restorative justice workers, managers and volunteers are trained in the
was first introduced in restorative approach.
legislation in England
and Wales at the time The YOS recently achieved the Restorative Service
that YOTs came into Quality Mark for the service it delivers to clients, and
being. Since then the is now working towards an understanding of what it
majority of restorative might mean to be a fully restorative organisation. In
justice in England and common with many other YOTs Oxfordshire is working
Wales has taken place in in partnership with the county’s schools, children’s
youth justice, although homes, social care and early intervention services to
the balance is now embed restorative approaches as an alternative to
changing with the current criminalising young people where there is conflict.
government’s commitment to adult restorative The YOS also works in close partnership with the
justice. Since the late nineties there has also been a charity SAFE! which supports young people who are
wave of interest in the use of restorative approaches struggling to cope and recover following a crime.
in other settings, for example in schools, housing,
children’s homes and in the workplace.

More recently there is increasing interest in the Case study: Rape case
concept of a ‘restorative organisation’, in which a
restorative mindset is embedded in every aspect Oxfordshire’s senior practitioner facilitated a
of a team or service, and also the emergence of restorative meeting in a case involving a young
restorative cities and counties. There is now huge man who raped a much older woman. Although
variation in how YOTs understand and deliver the woman said immediately after the young man
restorative justice, and the extent to which this was sentenced that she wished to meet with him,
remains simply a service to clients or a more the case took three years of preparation before
fundamental shift in the whole ethos of the the time was right for the meeting to go ahead. A
organisation or even the criminal justice process itself. vulnerability management plan was put in place
to ensure that the young man was supported
Below I will look at my own service, Oxfordshire YOS following the meeting, and in common with other
and Wigan Council Restorative Solutions Team, to see cases involving very serious offences, he dipped a
two different options for how restorative practice can few days after the meeting and had to be placed
be introduced into youth justice. Reflecting on these on enhanced surveillance. The restorative meeting
examples of how restorative justice is delivered in was a first for the young offender institute, and
different areas highlights the huge scope for creativity both parties were pleased with the outcome.
and innovation in this vibrant area of youth justice.
It shows that there is no single model of restorative
justice, and that rather than ‘best practice’ it may be
more accurate to talk about ‘emerging practice’. Wigan Council Restorative Solutions Team

Oxfordshire YOS Wigan Council Restorative Solutions Team is a diverse

team that works with young people who are at risk
Oxfordshire YOS has a restorative justice senior of engaging in low-level antisocial and offending
practitioner, a restorative justice support worker and behaviour, young people who are made subject
two volunteers. The team meet with all the young to Out of Court Disposals, and cases referred to
people referred to the YOS by the police and the Wigan YOT from court. The team has 19 staff who
courts, and with the people affected by their crimes, are all trained in restorative conferencing and they
to explore the potential for a restorative process. In undertake all victim contact on behalf of Wigan
line with Youth Justice Board policy all frontline YOS YOT. If the case is serious it is allocated to a senior
 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack 23

practitioner, YOT police officer or more experienced Case study: Shoplifting

member of the Restorative Solutions team for the
restorative justice work. Two young people were involved in five incidents
of shoplifting in a local shop. The restorative
Restorative Solutions uses volunteers to facilitate solutions team supported the trained volunteer to
Neighbourhood Resolution Panels, which have visit and assess the shop owner who was the victim
recently been expanded to cover the entire borough. in this case, the young people and their parents.
The team offers a youth mediation service in local A restorative meeting was held at the local fire
communities and X-Zones diversionary activities to station. The shop owner received a formal apology
targeted groups and individuals, and facilitates all the from both of the young people and their parents,
reparation work in Wigan. and the young people paid £15 as a private
agreement. One of the young people also brought
The team received the Restorative Service Quality along a letter of apology.
Mark from the Restorative Justice Council in
November 2013. The ban from the shop was lifted, and the young
people also agreed to go into the shop to apologise
Pete Wallis to the shop owner’s mother informally, with the
Senior Practitioner (Restorative Justice) full support of their parents. All parties were
Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service satisfied with the outcome.
24 Restorative justice in youth offending teams information pack

For more information on the RJC and

quality restorative justice
Case studies demonstrating restorative Information on joining the RJC:
justice in action: www.rjc.org.uk/register
www.rjc.org.uk/rj-in-action
Information on the Restorative Service Quality Mark:
Best Practice Guidance for Restorative Practice: www.rsqm.org.uk
www.rjc.org.uk/bestpractice
Information on becoming an Accredited Practitioner:
http://practitioners.rjc.org.uk