Briefing of plans to adopt the Restorative Approach to working with children, young people and families in Gloucestershire

The Restorative Approach What is it? The Restorative Approach is a set of values and ideas about working With children, young people, families, communities, colleagues and partner organisations. It takes the place of doing things for or to people. Central to the Restorative Approach is how we build and repair relationships. That is agreeing together High Aspirations and Expectations of each other and committing to High levels of Support, Encouragement and Challenge to reach our goals. The Restorative Approach brings people together to put things right, gives people an opportunity to have their voice heard, and keeps people safe. The Restorative Approach is a way to be, not just a thing to do.

We invite you to circulate and discuss the definition in the engagement pack

Why are we re-examining our approach to practice? 1.Success = helping children and young people in new, sustained ways and focus services on those who most need our help 2.Multi-agency working 3.Increasing demand 4.Prioritising resources 5.Need to think and work together differently 6.Workstream set-up, research activity 7.Options and proposal

Why are we now focussed on the Restorative Approach? Supports the values and priorities emerging from recent consultations Aligns with the partnership approach the Council and partners are developing Very positive and tangible differences made in local authorities using Restorative Practices Fits well with the practice model (BASE) currently being implemented within young people settings Established track record of Restorative Practice training and a strong, local partnership; Restorative Gloucestershire

What is the Restorative Approach? “The fundamental premise in Restorative Practices is that people are happier, more cooperative and more likely to make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them” (Wachtel 2005).

Why do we like it? Knits people together across teams and services and is a common thread through and between organisations Building and repairing relationships; central to our own services and the Restorative Approach Works in and across a range of diverse settings Shown to lead to significant cultural improvement Services become facilitators of support rather than the support or intervention itself

What does it look like in practice? It is a way of being (thoughts, feelings and actions) that helps build and maintain relationships, come up with solution focused plans and repair harm Schools Relational approach to school culture –belonging, social engagement, meaningful accountability Children’s Social Care Relationship-based social work, family led decision making, co-production, clear bottom lines, collaborative risk management Police, Youth Justice, Probation Restorative work with offender, victim, community, from on the street ‘informal resolutions’, to formal conferencing Housing Restorative and solutions focused approaches to resolving neighbour disputes, tenancy problems, anti-social behaviour Health Services Restorative practice in primary prevention, initiatives such as ‘positive risk taking agenda’ (CCG) City & District Councils, VCS, Faith Community Community building, collective capacity, strengthening neighbourhoods and individual assets. Relationships at the centre, creating connections, developing social capital, repairing harm. And in the workplace – within and between teams.

What does it look like in practice? Continuum of Restorative Practices Building CommunityRepairing Harm Community building circles Conference/circle with a small group Restorative conference / Family Group Conference Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Restorative dialogue between a couple or several people Mediation Family / Staff circles

What difference does it make? Impact in Hull- schools reporting reduced exclusions, increased attainment, improved community cohesion. Schools rated ‘outstanding’ Impact in Leeds – reduced CP plans by 50%; improved CYP outcomes across the city; ‘good’ Ofsted outcome for the Local Authority Impact in Wokingham – school attendance increased from on average 20% to over 85% and exclusions reduced; reduction in offending; over 40% of adults entered employment (many 1 st time in 3 generations); improvement in emotional health and physical health, Tier 4 mental health placements avoided; CP Plans reduced by 50% Impact in West Berkshire – new ways of implementing the Care Act in adult care; new way of problem solving in response to inadequacy of their Tier 2 CAMHS, leading to a new Emotional Health Academy; better Troubled Families outcomes

What are key issues for us to consider? It needs to be communicated right It’s not a soft option It has to make a difference It needs ownership and commitment at the highest level

What is the engagement plan? A) Pre-engagement manager/partner briefing 24 February 2016 (joint GSCB and GCP members meeting) B) Engagement Internal teams and services and external organisations 4 Apr – 13 May 2016 (6 weeks) Collation and analysis of feedback 16 May – 10 Jun 2016 (4 weeks) C) Decision-making Presentation of proposals to senior leaders and decision of next steps and GSCB Board meeting (date to be confirmed) 13 Jun – 29 Jul 2016 (7 weeks) D) Training If decision is to implement, planning and arranging training opportunities 1 Aug – 28 Oct 2016 (13 weeks) Training opportunities to start from November 2016

What we’re asking you to consider and feedback on Do you (or your team) welcome the values and ideas set out in this briefing? Do you (or your team) already apply a restorative approach to practice, in a practical way? What message do you have for strategic leads in your own work setting, about the ideas set out in this briefing? What message do you have for partners, about the ideas set out in this briefing? What further information would you like during the engagement phase described in this briefing?

What next? We want to hear your feedback Please either: Complete a Feedback Form or Send any thoughts or questions you or your team may have to: To find out more and keep updated of plans to adopt the Restorative Approach and Practices, please visit: