A new Adult Restorative Justice Practice Standards and
Accreditation Framework was launched today.
The Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework will ensure
restorative justice processes are delivered with consistency and
equity by Justice accredited organisations and practitioners.
The benefits of restorative justice are well established locally,
within both the formal youth justice system and community-based
restorative justice. Restorative justice brings together
those impacted by crime and those responsible for causing
harm. It explores what happened, who was harmed and how and
what needs be done to repair the harm caused. It also
provides an alternative to more traditional, oftentimes punitive,
responses to crime, establishing positive and reparative ways of
addressing and thereby reducing the risk of future harm.
Speaking at the launch of the Framework, Maria Watson, Director
of Rehabilitation and Reducing Offending said: “This new
accreditation mechanism is aimed at those who wish to deliver
restorative justice interventions on behalf of the criminal
justice system in Northern Ireland. I would encourage as
many organisations and individual practitioners as possible to
apply, where they meet the necessary standards, so we can
increase the provision of restorative justice services locally.
“The Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework is unique to
the social, cultural and political landscape in Northern Ireland
and has been developed by an expert practitioner, in conjunction
with partners. It will ensure restorative justice processes
are delivered with coherence, consistency and equity. The
Framework also assures participants that Department of Justice
accredited organisations, and practitioners, operate to the
highest standards of practice.”
A new Restorative Justice Protocol was published in July 2023,
and an Interim Protocol Lead was subsequently appointed to
develop and implement a new accreditation process.
Departmental officials met with colleagues from other
jurisdictions to ensure that the criteria for accreditation, and
the practice standards outlined, are robust and fit for purpose.
Maria Watson said: “Research confirms the effectiveness of
restorative interventions, with an estimated 14% reduction in
re-offending rates and 85% of victims finding it helpful.
It is therefore critically important that practitioners are
highly competent at supporting participants to address and repair
the aftermath of a crime.
“Furthermore, the Department of Justice, in partnership with the
Probation Board for Northern Ireland, is establishing a
‘Restorative Hub' where accredited community and independent
practitioners will work together to provide a collaborative,
consistent, and high-quality service for all those who choose to
participate in this process.
“I would like to put on record my appreciation to our criminal
justice and voluntary sector partners for their commitment in
bringing forward these measures.”
Among those attending the launch were representatives from
community based restorative justice organisations, voluntary
sector, and criminal justice partners as well as the Probation
Board for Northern Ireland and the police.
Notes to editors:
1. The Adult Restorative Justice Practice Standards &
Accreditation Framework can be found at www.justice-ni.gov.uk/publications/restorative-justice-practice-standards-and-accreditation-framework
2. Further information on the role and the application form is
available at https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/
3. The closing date for applications is Friday 28 November.
