"Restorative practices" in schools are those methods of discipline which attempt to focus on the "restoration of relationships" and the creation of a "culture of care" and "responsible citizenship", instead of solely meting out punishment. Restorative practices could include a conference between the bully and the person bullied, involving staff, families and community contacts. Such practices usually involve the acknowledgement of wrongdoing, accountability for actions, the repair of harm or some sort of reparation, and a plan to support both bully and bullied, in collaboration with wider support networks.

Definition from Respectful Schools: Restorative Practices in Education,  a report from the Institute for Policy Studies at Victoria University

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Positive Behaviour For Learning; The Ministry of Education's Action Plan includes on page 3

• Reviewing where restorative practices programme have been effectively implemented

• Documenting critical success factors

• Developing support for consistent implementation and outcomes

 

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