Restorative Approaches

Restorative Justice is a way to resolve conflict and provides school aged children with the strategies to solve problems through discussion in small groups.   A restorative justice trained adult mediates a meeting where students are given the opportunity in their small groups to ask questions and express feelings without judgement.  Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and helps develops students social skills, improve peer relationships and cultivate a more tolerant school culture. 

At Cardiff West Community High School we have a large number of adults who are trained to lead restorative justice meetings.  The meetings are often very effective in deescalating conflict situations and restoring trust between young people.  The use of restorative justice in our school helps students develop acceptance for the different feelings and opinions had by others.