'The training was excellent. It was not rushed yet covered all the topics thoroughly. There was a good balance between theory and practice. It brought the subject alive and made the practice real'. Joanne Saunders, PS Teacher

'This was the best three day training I've ever had. Thank you to both facilitators for sharing your experience and passion' J.Ulaha, OnTrack

'Inspirational, thank you so much'. P.Morgan, Social Worker

'The course was really well delivered, relaxed, friendly and so helpful to my work. Thank you'  J Watson, YOT worker

'I've developed the confidence to use the programme and the course materials will provide me with the information I need'. A Whithington, Intervention Worker, Youth Offending

'This was the best training I have attended in the UK'  K Henning,  Reviewing Officer, LONDON

Below is a summary of our three day residential training delivered to 16 teaching staff in November 2004 

1)      Looking back to your expectations from the course, which if any, of your needs have been met?

·        Experience of restorative conference.  Folder of notes excellent, sharing of ideas, suggestions – peer learning.

·        Need for skills to care for others, increase in self-confidence – I now know I can do “other” things, which, until now, I would never have undertaken.

·        Knowledge of the topic, practical skills, a developed enthusiasm.

·        Looking at a difference approach to discipline and think more of the student needs.

·        I wanted to get the skills and confidence to facilitate a Conference and this course certainly helped towards this.

·        A better way on dealing with school problems.

·        Yes got back in touch with RJ philosophy and methods.

·        I definitely have learned more and have gained a lot of confidence in myself and in the process.

·        I hoped to gain more confidence about facilitating a conference and to be clearer about the process and I feel this has happened.

·        Definitely more confidence in taking on the role of facilitator.

·        All i.e. need for knowledge re process facilitation.

2)      Overall what did you find most useful?

·        Meeting others, problems to share.  Facilitation excellent, venue very good.  Other supports and attitudes to participation.

·        Skills to implement RJ, learned that I could negotiate.  I would not have associated that ability with myself.

·        The conferences – they taught me not to be afraid of the role of facilitator.  In many ways it was the easiest role.

·        The conferences on actual discipline problems.

·        Restorative J conference – role-play getting into roles of different people – it gives a great understanding of how others deal with the Conference.

·        The use of conferencing to help solve problems.

·        Watching a conference in action.

·        Role-playing in conferencing and getting feedback from the other participants.  Learning about my own communications skills and my weaknesses but how they can be strengthened.

·        /the frequent practice at running a conference – the whole practical approach.

·        Doing the role-play, Feeling the emotions and seeing how attitudes and feelings can change.

·        The whole experience, the contracts made the practical experience of participating.

3)      Overall what did you find least useful?

·        Nothing, I enjoyed every single moment of it.

·        The afternoon of Day 3.  Much had already been covered.

·        Some background information.

·        I found it very useful – very informative – tiring”!

·        Everything was useful – no negatives.

·        Everything had a purpose eventually even if it didn’t connect at the time of doing it.

4)      Please list three things you will take away which will be useful in your practice?

·        Change in language.  No investigative but process the feelings.  Resources excellent.  Reinforce my beliefs in seeing the pupils as people with real feelings.

·        Confirmation of my belief in the ability of every student/person to improve given the appropriate circumstances.  Confidence in my ability to use RJ.  Belief in the power of RJ.

·        Contacts with other schools, A developed awareness of peoples problems, an awareness of how much we as a school have been doing right.

·        A different approach. How other teachers were so enthusiastic about this.  How beneficial it was for schools.

·        An understanding of the benefits of RJ.

·        More confidence, better methodology, better attitude to handling problems.

·        This can be done – maybe in small ways at first, It’s a whole philosophy/approach, other people believe in it.

·        This work! Is the main one.  Having questions that I can use tomorrow, knowing how to be impartial and the importance of getting others to go through the process of emo?

·        The restorative type questions.   A greater awareness of personal impact, a different approach to challenging situations.

·        I will definitely use the RP questions, using the language at all times (if possible) small conferences to settle minor incidents.

·        Change in language, change in approach, change in understanding.

5)      As a result of this workshop, what do you see as your next step?

·        Encourage and enthuse other staff members to partake.

·        Read notes in details and use an entry in my professional portfolio for MA

·        Be very aware of how the other person feels – no matter what the outcome.

·        Advising staff, provide staff with photocopies of RJ questions.

·        Get to work on it as soon as possible – Decide with colleagues on a collegiate approach.

·        Put some of the theories into practice.

·        Encouraging staff to take it on board.  Holding a minor conference.

·        Hopefully the use of “mini conference” at work.

·        Meet ourselves when we get back to school, meet year heads, vice principals, principals.

·        Informing staff – implementing immediately spread the word.  Keep in touch with training and links made over last three days.

·        An immediate change in style of questioning, attempting to give information to other staff members in as clear and practical way as possible.

·        Promoting this process as best I can and leading by example to try and convince others of how valuable this process can be.

·        Talking to the principal, staff re RJ. Outlining the approach, highlight the positive elements of this approach.  Show the type of questioning used and encourage others.

6)      Please highlight any learning needs, concerns or anxieties that would be useful to address in future training sessions

·        Mediation process

·        Summary sheet on rationale for restorative justice

·        Make sure all can hear each other at sessions

·        The course itself is very complex and long drawn out and 3 days in succession is a bit harrowing.

·        More practice of methods, have ideas of small interventions

·        I really did feel that all needs etc were taken into consideration – the facilitator was excellent in all respects including sensitivity to all members.

·        Perhaps a checklist/reference list for when definitely not to run a conference.  What to do if a conference falls apart.

·        All needs/concerns were addressed adequately.  I had major concerns about role-plays but was really put at ease in this setting.

7)      Any other comments

·        Day’s long – very emotional, huge learning process, debriefing important.

·        It was a most enjoyable experience for me.  Most worthwhile in answering needs in me to better handle hurting students.  Thank you for all your hard work

·        The course was very well presented and conducted.

·        Presentation by both course co-ordinators was excellent.

·        Well done both of you and many thanks for including me on the last day and for the warm welcome.

·        I felt fully stimulated all the time – this would never have happened before.

·        Encourage the switching off of mobile phones during the actual sessions. Thanks a million to two wonderful facilitators!!

·        This was an excellent experience.  I have really enjoyed it and learned from it.  Excellent facilitators and venue.  I look forward to the next training.

·        The course was very worthwhile, well presented and facilitated.  Days were long but coffee refreshing.

Our clients in 2004 included:

Southend Local Education Authority :-

FGC Project

Report Title: The use of Family Group Conference in Tackling Truancy

Restorative Justice Project

Report Title: Restorative Practices in the School Setting

Social Inclusion Project

Report Title: Group Work with pupils in Transitional years

Southend Youth Offending Team

Report Title: The Effectiveness of the Youth Inclusion Support Panel and Services

Monaghan Access Centre for Independent Living

Report Title: Needs Analysis of people with Disability in the Carrickmacross Area

'The regular breaks, group work, audio visual aids and facilitation made for an interesting and stimulating day. I enjoyed the whole day and will be going back to work with a more creative approach. Thank you.'

Chris - Youth Worker - March 2004

'The day was very fluent. I found the exercises thought provoking and useful. It was practical and very easy to see where we can put the learning into place. My next step will be to introduce this process to the client group'

Alex - Team Leader - January 2004

'My interest was held all day'

Grainne - Project worker - January 2004

'Very exciting and challenging. It motivated me to examine existing practices in the unit and assess where we can adapt and change'

Martin - Unit manager - December 2003

'10 out of 10. Thankyou'

Alison - Probation Officer - January 2004

'I'm taking away with me a greater confidence in practice, awareness of self and of my team members. Many thanks for a professional and enjoyable training experience'

Bryan - Team Leader - March 2004

'Watching the trainers and the ease with which they run the program, I would love to have that ability'.

Amanda - Community Worker - April 2004

"This was a most enjoyable and informative experience. I was slighty familiar with Restorative Justice and community services in the context of youth justice. Now my knowledge has been immensely broadened. Thank You"

Sally - Education - Sept 03

"I found the training stimulating. There was a balanced use of formal teaching, group activity work, and role plays. The trainer was clearly knowledgable about the subject. The material was presented in a clear manner".

Karen - Social Worker - Sept 03

"I am delighted that  M.McG put me in touch with NetCare - If we can get this model right it will benefit young people and teachers so much"

Anne - Manager - January 04 

"An excellent three days"

Tracie - YOT worker - Oct 04

" The course has changed my whole way of thinking"

Wendy - Teacher - Sept 03

"Can we have the whole senior staff trained? PLEASE!!!"

Elizabeth - Teacher - March 04

"I tried this approach recently between a pupil and a staff member. In all my years as a teacher and principal, I have never been involved in anything so powerful. Everyone left my room satisfied and feeling heard. The mother of the child rang up the next day to thank me. There has been no trouble since"

See our three day evaluation sheet

Principal of a boys Vocational School, Ireland  - May 2004