Restorative Approaches in Norfolk Schools

Norfolk County Council, Children's Services believes that a restorative ethos and restorative practices should underpin any work with children, young people and families.

By working restoratively, we can:

• Improve relationships and wellbeing amongst pupils and staff
• Equip staff to manage difficult situations
• Empower children and young people to make their own decisions
• Encourage and support pupils to take responsibility for their actions
• Improve communication skills
• Improve emotional literacy
• Reduce exclusions and persistent absenteeism
• Build resilience

Are you or your staff and children and young people struggling to adapt with the challenges that COVID 19 is continuing to create?

While the future is looking more hopeful, many of our worries and concerns continue and feelings can spiral very quickly. We know that our children and young people have been deeply affected by the consequences of COVID. With this in mind, we would like to raise awareness of where Restorative Approaches can help in your school community.

Who we are

Children's Services, Restorative Approaches Team works across Norfolk to encourage and support the use of restorative practice across services to children, young people and the families and communities in which they live and within Norfolk schools.

What's it all about

Restorative approaches provide a clear overarching mindset and strategic framework where building, maintaining and repairing relationships are central. This way of working is all about working with people, as opposed to doing things to or for them.

What does it look like in school?

In schools, restorative approaches provide staff with a consistent framework to build and maintain respectful relationships, preventing and dealing with problems and gives an alternative way of addressing discipline and behavioural issues.

Our offer

If you or a member of your team would find it helpful to talk, then we would be happy to have a conversation. This may be to offer advice and support of where your use of restorative approaches may help or discuss bespoke training packages depending on your needs. This offer is free of charge, although we may have to make a charge for our formal training which is non-profit making.

Please do contact us on 01603 679126 or email restorativeapproaches@norfolk.gov.uk - we would welcome a discussion to find out how we can support you.