A Restorative Conference is a specific form of the restorative circle, which is only used in cases involving serious (criminal or non-criminal) incidents. The tone is more formal, and the process is more structured. The process follows a more fixed script (see below).
Given the seriousness of the situation, both the perpetrator (“the one causing the harm”) and the victim (“the one being harmed”) may invite one or more support figures. Support figures are individuals who can contribute to the restorative process. They are often also personally affected by what has happened. In the case of children and adolescents, these are ideally the parents or other caregivers. The moderator will also (possibly via phone) conduct an assessment with them. It is important to maintain balance between both sides. In addition to the direct participants and their respective support figures, representatives from the community will also participate in the Restorative Conference.
The moderator prepares a seating plan (see below) and assigns a well-considered place to each participant. The moderator takes into account the degree of (emotional) involvement in the situation. There may also be two circles. All the participants directly involved in the restorative process take their place in the inner circle. People who are not directly involved in the situation but feel it is important to be present are given a place in the outer circle. They can observe the restorative process but do not have a voice. The moderator always checks if the other parties have any objections to this.
Example of a seating plan
The moderator can choose to sit between the perpetrator and the victim or to place the perpetrator and the victim between their respective support figures. The main consideration is the victim’s (and other parties’) sense of safety. Ensuring a safe environment in which participants can openly share their accounts is perhaps the moderator’s most important task throughout the restorative process.
The meeting follows roughly the same steps as the Restorative Circle (tool#10):
- In the introduction the moderator introduces the participants, reiterates the conversation rules, and the objective of the meeting.
- In the first go-around all participants share the consequences they faced and what they have thought and felt about the situation. Everyone gets an opportunity to speak. Anyone who has a role in the incident takes responsibility for it.
- In the second phase of the process all participants collaborate to find ways to restore the damage. The proposals that gain consensus are included in a restoration plan.
- Afterwards, an informal moment with drinks follows, where participants can debrief and recover from the emotional event. Meanwhile, all participants sign the restoration plan.
A practical case is available for download (English version).
It should be clear that this type of intervention is quite delicate. There are a lot of feelings and interests at stake. We want to underline the importance of rigorous expert training before risking yourself on this terrain. Our advice is to find a local training company that can help you develop the level of expertise needed to facilitate restorative conferences.
