Restorative Justice Action Plan 2019 - 23
|
|
|
Quarterly Report
1st January - 31st March 2025
|
|
This report updates on the progress and delivery of the Restorative Justice (RJ) Action Plan for the reporting period of 1 January - 31 March 2025. All previous quarterly and annual reports are available on the CJS Learning Hub. An annual report for the period 1 April 2023 - 31 March 2024 is available here.
|
|
|
Outcome 1: Restorative Justice is available across Scotland
|
|
Progress
The Policy and Practice Framework Document
Final comments on the draft document were reviewed at the National Restorative Justice Stakeholder Group meeting on 26 February 2025. Community Justice Scotland has since incorporated amendments based on comprehensive stakeholder feedback and submitted the revised document to the Scottish Government for consideration regarding any further consultation and decisions on publication timescales.
|
|
Restorative Justice Test Cases
|
|
|
A critical focus for this quarter has remained supporting the recruitment and processing of test cases. For cases hoping to access funding from 2024/25 (e.g. non-statutory cases), timing has been crucial to ensure cases were commenced within agreed deadlines. .This has involved attending multiple meetings with participating organisations to support their capacity and ‘operational readiness’ to deliver RJ test cases. Central to this support has been ensuring all written agreements are drafted and in place to comply with data sharing legislation and required service level agreements. Considerable support was required this quarter to ensure a collaboration between a local authority social work department and third sector organisation were able to access funding from the test case project, which has brought in four new cases to the project (three involving adults and one involving children). In addition to providing valuable data to the test case report, we hope this will provide a helpful local model of development and collaborative working, which could support broader learning across Scotland. We are currently exploring the best way to capture this learning.
In total, CYCJ has recruited four children’s cases, which remain ongoing: with a further three cases not having progressed. CJS have recruited eight adult cases, four of which will not progress. All cases will produce data to inform learning about barriers and challenges as well as what works. CJS and CYCJ met with Thriving Survivors to support their contribution to the test case project.
CJS and CYCJ collaborated on further developing the co-designed monitoring and evaluation framework. Through recruitment and orientation of a research analyst we have developed greater clarity about data capture and presentation. We believe this external expertise will add a further analytical dimension and robustness to the data and report findings.
Restorative Justice Prison Protocol
CJS is coordinating a working group in partnership with Scottish Prison Service (SPS) to develop a protocol to ensure a consistent approach for when Restorative Justice is taking place in custody. The working group is currently taking a hiatus whilst feedback on the protocol is sought from SPS Governance Groups.
Engagement with Police Scotland
CYCJ and CJS met with colleagues within Police Scotland to explore opportunities for the test case project in a policing division where RJ has historically been more developed. CYCJ has also continued to develop conversations about shared learning with Police colleagues and are exploring how best to capture narrative learning from shared RJ development work so that it is not lost and can continue to inform Scotland’s work (in the context of changes to personnel, etc).
Survey on RJ Service Provision for Children across Scotland
CJS and CYCJ are in the process of promoting and recruiting members for a new development forum for leaders and managers from both statutory and voluntary sectors across Scotland. The bi-monthly forum will launch in the next quarter and is designed to provide a space for those in a leadership role to exchange knowledge and practice regarding the development of Restorative Justice in their local areas, with a particular focus on overcoming challenges and barriers. It is a response to recent requests for strategic support from managers and seeks to support delivery of the Restorative Justice Action Plan.
Stakeholder Awareness Raising
CJS and CYCJ have continued to raise awareness of RJ across Scotland through targeted engagement with local authorities, third sector organisations, and a range of national and international stakeholders.
Together, CJS and CYCJ delivered a joint presentation to the Pan-Ayrshire Community First Delivery Group, offering an introduction to RJ and an overview of the national landscape. This formed part of broader efforts to support local authorities and community organisations to explore and develop RJ practice.
As part of ongoing professional development support, CJS’s Learning Development and Innovation Lead Gael Cochrane delivered a follow-up Continuing Professional Development (CPD) session to the Public Defence Solicitors’ Office (PDSO). Building on an introductory RJ webinar delivered in the previous year, the 2025 session provided approximately 30 solicitors with further insight into RJ processes, supporting continued dialogue and awareness of RJ within the defence sector.
CJS also provided specialist inputs on RJ and sexual harm to the Moray Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Partnership and Community Justice Partners (CJP), and presented a paper with a national-level overview of RJ in cases involving sexual harm at the Rape Crisis Centre Managers’ meeting.
CYCJ presented to a range of statutory and third sector organisations – such as Circle, Our Hearings Our Voice, Sacro, Youth Link, Action for Children, and Orkney Islands Council – to raise awareness and explore the potential for collaborative working around RJ. At the Age of Criminal Responsibility Learning Event, which provided opportunity to share important data and context relevant to RJ, CYCJ contributed key data and insights, particularly on the relevance of RJ in addressing harm caused by children both above and below the age of criminal responsibility. Discussions highlighted growing interest in RJ as a means to build community confidence and better support those affected by harm.
Further engagement by CYCJ included close work with Victim Support Scotland (VSS), supporting their learning and scoping the needs of those harmed by children in conflict with the law. This was specifically in relation to service design in respect to victim access to information and the single point of contact in line with the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024. The discussions involved supporting considered appraisal of the role of RJ in meeting the needs of victims as well as promoting the rights of children in conflict with the law.
On an international level, CYCJ presented at the “International Experiences with Children in Conflict with the Law” event, hosted by Aberdeen University and held at the University of Edinburgh on 28 March. The event included a roundtable discussion, bringing together a range of local and international stakeholders, including representatives from Mexico and Malawi, to share learning and inform the development of RJ with children in Scotland.
Finally, CJS contributed to discussions with the Scottish Government’s Independent Working Group on Antisocial Behaviour in March 2025. As part of the consultation process, CJS provided input on the potential role of RJ in addressing antisocial behaviour. The forthcoming report from the Group is expected to recommend RJ as a valuable tool in this area, although no new funding has been proposed at this stage.
International Collaboration - European Forum for Restorative Justice
In February, the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) appointed new committee and working group members for a two-year mandate. Gael Cochrane, Learning Development and Innovation Lead at Community Justice Scotland, continues her contribution to the Training Committee and the Gender-Based Violence Working Group. Inesa Velaviciute, Restorative Justice Development Officer at CJS, has joined the newly established Communications Committee. These collaborations offer valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange, peer learning, and the sharing of international best practice. All groups are currently developing strategic plans to guide their activities over the next two years.
|
|
Outcome 2: Restorative Justice is delivered by highly trained and skilled facilitators
|
|
Progress
Tools and Knowledge Sharing around Restorative Practices
CYCJ continues to chair the bi-monthly the Restorative Approaches Group, with regular participation from Youthlink, CJS and the Violence Reduction Unit. The group shares resources, identifies gaps in practice, explores opportunities for collaboration, and works towards developing a consistent, structured approach to providing restorative practices across Scotland. In January and March, the group met to continue developing a shared resource detailing current resources, training, and work in relation to restorative practices.
Restorative Justice Online Learning Module
The RJ Learning Module has been developed by CJS for frontline, operational staff on Restorative Justice. The content was written by Prof Tim Chapman and Tania Nascimento, designed to offer a basic introduction to and overview of Restorative Justice.
|
|
|
Since its launch, Community Justice Scotland continues to monitor user feedback to ensure the module’s effectiveness, relevance and inclusivity. As part of this ongoing improvement process, some content and design changes were applied in this quarter to enhance the learning experience and support memory consolidation. New supporting materials were added to the “Downloads/Resources” sections too, and some images were replaced to improve diversity representation. Additionally, an accessibility audit was carried out, and adjustments were made to fully comply with WCAG 2.1 AA standards set by the Scottish Government.
Further recommendations received from this audit will assist in carrying out a more comprehensive update to the module in 2025/26, which will also involve a consultation process with stakeholders to gather insights and ensure it continues to meet their needs.
The module is available for stakeholders and the public and can be accessed via both the RJ Learning Hub and Resources section on CJS website.
Cross-border Collaboration - Interfaith Restorative Justice Project
Following the delivery of initial RJ facilitator training in November 2024, as part of the Interfaith Restorative Justice Project, this quarter CJS provided additional support to set up Community Listening Circles amongst faith communities in Glasgow.
Gael Cochrane, Learning Development and Innovation Lead at CJS, collaborated with Interfaith Glasgow and the Faith & Belief Forum to establish these circles as an extension of the original training programme, funded to address the impact of the violence and unrest experienced across the UK during summer 2024. The Listening Circles offer faith communities a restorative space to process experiences of hate, hostility and prejudice, supporting community healing and dialogue in response to complex societal tensions.
The findings from this work, along with broader research into the ways individuals and communities across the UK responded to and were affected by the summer unrest, will be presented in Why Me? charity’s forthcoming report titled "Summer Riots 2024: Restorative Responses & Interfaith Instincts".
|
|
Outcome 3: There is a public awareness and understanding of Restorative Justice across Scotland
|
|
Progress
Updated Restorative Justice Animation Video
Community Justice Scotland and the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice collaborated on updating the Restorative Justice animation video to reflect the current landscape of RJ service development across Scotland, and to improve the tool’s accessibility.
The animation was completed this quarter and is accessible to all stakeholders and the public via Community Justice Scotland’s Youtube channel. More information in the stakeholder spotlight section below.
Restorative Justice Image Bank
As part of the ongoing work to raise public awareness and improving understanding of Restorative Justice, this quarter CJS worked on creating a more representative collection of images that authentically reflect the principles and processes of RJ. We aimed to capture realistic scenarios as well as broader concepts of harm, repair, and reintegration, ensuring meaningful representation across race, age, gender, abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds. The image bank will be a valuable resource in strengthening RJ messaging with relevant and high-quality visuals.
The photoshoot was carried out on 24 March and work is now underway to upload the images to a digital photo bank, which will be accessible for both stakeholders and public use.
|
|
|
Restorative Justice and Educational Inputs
In efforts to enhance conflict resolution and support difficult conversations at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen, Community Justice Scotland, alongside partners from CYCJ and Education Scotland, have been meeting with the school and looking for ways to support their restorative practices. As a result, CJS led a workshop on restorative language and conversations to sixty staff members on 12 February. The session explored how restorative values and techniques can be integrated into the school culture through trauma-responsive dialogue and engagement, with practical opportunities for staff to apply these approaches in their daily interactions. Following this session, the Academy is now in the process of finding suitable dates and identifying staff members to undertake Restorative Justice facilitator training, which will be delivered by CJS’s Learning Development and Innovation Lead Gael Cochrane alongside CYCJ colleagues.
CYCJ has participated in interviews by four students from a range of schools and universities who have a research focus on restorative justice.
|
|
Stakeholder Spotlight
Restorative Justice Animation:
Updated Resource and Future Plans
Community Justice Scotland (CJS) and the Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) have updated the Restorative Justice in Scotland animation video.
This collaborative project, originally completed in 2021, was developed to raise awareness and understanding of Restorative Justice (RJ) within a Scottish context. The animation was produced with support from the Scottish Government’s Restorative Justice Stakeholder Group. CJS and CYCJ worked closely with the group to ensure the script reflected the Government’s vision for RJ in Scotland. It also included lived experience quotes provided by the charity Why Me? and Youth Just Us. The content explains what RJ is, how the process works, and the potential benefits to individuals who have experienced or caused harm, as well as to the wider community.
Following stakeholder feedback from the animation impact survey (2021) conducted with over 340 participants, CJS and CYCJ revised the engagement tool to improve its accessibility, addressing audio quality concerns through a new professional voiceover recorded in January 2024, adding subtitles and more signposting links in description for further information. The time-bound references to the RJ Action Plan have also been removed from the graphic design to align the information with the evolving RJ landscape.
The updated animation was finalised this quarter and is now publicly available via Community Justice Scotland’s Youtube channel. It has also been incorporated into the RJ e-learning platform and will continue to be used in awareness-raising sessions and stakeholder/public engagement activities.
The survey respondent suggestions have also been instrumental in shaping our plans for a broader animation series that will be developed throughout 2025/26. The future animated video clips will concentrate on topics tailored to diverse audiences – including professionals, the public, and individuals who may want to access RJ – and will incorporate a range of learning styles and accessibility needs.
|
|
|
Restorative Justice Animation
Use this animation of Restorative Justice in Scotland to help raise awareness.
|
|
Useful documents
Click the button below for useful information about Restorative Justice: research papers, reports and other documents, guidance and toolkits, signposting to other websites.
|
|
Stakeholder Feedback Form
Click the button below to complete the form we are currently testing for communication with stakeholders. Please note, you may communicate anonymously, no personal details are required.
|
|
|
|
|
