Restorative Practice Scotland

Working to achieve quality outcomes through restorative practice in Scotland

Restorative Practice Scotland

Restorative Practice Scotland (RPS) is a practice focused organisation which is concerned with restorative practice in a range of settings within and outside the criminal justice system.

Aims and objectives

The primary aims of RPS are to

·        Provide support to restorative practitioners

·        Promote the development of practice

·        Uphold the restorative focus on dealing with harm done between parties

·        Promote development of sound practice values and principles

The main objectives of RPS are to

• Provide opportunities for restorative practitioners to share experiences and discuss practice issues and concerns, including implementation of restorative practices within wider policy agenda
• Promote and support training and the adoption of recognised practice qualifications
• Collaborate with, promote and where possible instigate research on restorative practice
• Engage with agencies concerned with restorative justice issues in the development of policy, practices, values and research
• Promote and develop standards of practice

Vision and values

• The organisation should have a main focus on mutual support between restorative practitioners to enable them to provide excellent services.

• RPS emphasises the restorative value of focusing on dealing with the harm done and the paying of attention to the perspectives, needs and concerns of all parties to a harmful incident.
• RPS seeks to be an organisation that fosters co-operation, sharing, open-mindedness between its members and in its relationship with others.

• RPS will be an independent organisation
• RPS will adopt a neutral and impartial position on practice issues, subject to practices coming within accepted practice standards.

Network relationships

RPS will seek to have constructive relationships with government and the statutory agencies, including: Scottish Executive, SCRA, SPS, Police Services, the Scottish Court Services, the COPFS and local authorities.

RPS will develop links with restorative practice providers and trainers, in both the statutory and the voluntary/independent sectors.

RPS will develop and seek to maintain liaison arrangements with national and international bodies, for example

• The Scottish Executive

• The Restorative Justice Consultancy

• SCRA

• Scottish Prison Service

•     Victim Support Scotland
•     The Scottish Mediation Network
•     The Restorative Justice Forum
•     The Restorative Justice Consortium ( UK )
•     The European Forum for Restorative Justice
•     Local authorities
•     Community Justice Authorities
•     RP service providers
•     Academic institutions

The scope of restorative practice

We propose that we need to negotiate some of the boundaries in relation to settings of practice, particularly with the Scottish Mediation Network. We suggest, provisionally that restorative practice encompasses restorative practices in the adult and youth justice systems.

Restorative practice may be carried out in a variety of contexts and settings, including:

·        Criminal Justice and Youth Justice

·        Schools and Secure Units

·        Police Restorative Warnings

·        Referrals by SCRA and the CHS

·        Referrals by PFs

·        Referrals by courts

·        Prisons and YOIs

·        as a result of self-referral

It encompasses practice with both children and adults.

Membership

Full membership should be open to restorative practitioners, restorative practice trainers, and those who have a demonstrable interest and involvement in restorative justice issues

Structure of RPS

RPS will keep its constitutional arrangements under review, but will remain as an unincorporated association whose business is carried out by a steering group.

Funding

We will seek funding from the Scottish Executive and possible from charitable sources.

Rob Mackay

On behalf of the main group of RPS

22.06.2006

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