Restorative Justice
A structured process for addressing harm, building accountability and considering what happens next.
Restorative justice provides an opportunity for people affected by harm to address what has happened in a carefully prepared and facilitated process. At Restorative Solutions, every matter begins with individual preparation. We meet separately with those involved to understand their needs, consider safety and suitability, and prepare each person for the process. Where a person has caused harm, preparation includes working with them to develop a meaningful understanding of their behaviour, the impact on others and what taking responsibility may require.
What does the process involve?
1. Individual preparation
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We meet separately with each participant to understand their perspective, needs and expectations and to assess whether and how the process can proceed safely.
2. Accountability work
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We work with the person who has caused harm to explore responsibility, impact and what meaningful accountability may look like.
3. Support and preparation
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Participants are supported to consider what they would like to communicate, questions they may wish to ask and what they may need from the process. Where appropriate, referrals to other support services can also be made.
4. Restorative conference
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When appropriate, a carefully facilitated conversation provides an opportunity to discuss the harm, its impact and what needs to happen next.
5. Monitoring
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Where outcomes or commitments are agreed, these can be documented and monitored as part of the restorative process.
A process centred on safety and choice
Participation in restorative justice is voluntary. A conference will not be appropriate in every matter, and proceeding to a joint meeting is never assumed. We carefully consider safety, readiness, participant needs and the circumstances of each matter. The process can be adapted where necessary, including considering alternatives to a conference.
Who can refer?
We accept referrals from solicitors, other professionals and individuals. Restorative justice may be considered in criminal matters and other situations where harm has occurred and there is an opportunity for meaningful accountability and repair. Solicitors and other referrers are welcome to contact us before making a formal referral to discuss whether a matter may be suitable.
Complete Restorative Justice Process — $2,000
The complete process includes:
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individual preparation with participants
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accountability work within the restorative process
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assessment of readiness and suitability
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referral to appropriate supports where required
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preparation and facilitation of the restorative conference
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development of agreed outcomes
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monitoring and follow-up.
Individual Accountability Program
Taking responsibility requires more than saying sorry.
The Individual Accountability Program is a structured five-session program for people who have caused harm or whose behaviour has had a harmful impact on others. The program provides a respectful and non-judgmental space while maintaining a clear focus on responsibility, impact and what needs to change moving forward. Rather than focusing only on what happened, the program supports participants to examine their choices, recognise the impact of their behaviour, identify patterns that may have contributed to the harm and consider what meaningful accountability looks like.
What does the program involve?
1. Understanding what happened
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Exploring the circumstances surrounding the behaviour and developing a clearer understanding of what occurred.
2. Responsibility and choice
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Looking at decisions and behaviour without minimising, blaming or shifting responsibility to others.
3. Understanding impact
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Considering the impact of the behaviour on the person harmed, relationships, family and others who may have been affected.
4. What needs to change
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Identifying patterns, attitudes or behaviours that may need to change and considering practical strategies to reduce the likelihood of further harm.
5. Accountability moving forward
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Bringing the learning together and considering what taking responsibility looks like beyond the completion of the program.
Who is the program for?
The program may be suitable for people who:
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have caused harm to another person
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have been charged with a criminal offence
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have been referred by a solicitor or other professional
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would benefit from developing greater understanding of the impact of their behaviour
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want to examine patterns of harmful behaviour
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want to demonstrate meaningful engagement in accountability and change.
Referrals from solicitors and professionals
Solicitors and other professionals can refer clients directly to the program. With the participant's consent, a brief Program Completion Summary can be provided to the referrer outlining attendance, engagement and the areas addressed during the program. The program can be undertaken as a stand-alone intervention or may be recommended where more intensive individual accountability work is appropriate before considering a restorative justice process.
5 individual sessions — $1,000
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The fee includes five individual sessions and, where requested and appropriate, a brief Program Completion Summary for the referrer.
Mediation and Family Dispute Resolution
Practical conversations. Clearer decisions. A way forward.
Mediation provides a structured and supported way for people to work through disagreement, consider different perspectives and make practical decisions about what happens next.
At Restorative Solutions, we provide mediation for separated families, property matters, workplace disputes and other civil conflicts. Our role is to create a respectful and impartial process where the issues can be discussed clearly and each person has an opportunity to participate meaningfully.
Family Dispute Resolution
Separation can bring difficult decisions about children, communication and the practical arrangements of family life.
Our Family Dispute Resolution process is child-focused, helping parents keep the needs and wellbeing of their children at the centre of discussions while working towards practical and workable parenting arrangements. Matters may include parenting arrangements, communication between parents, school holidays and special occasions, travel, education, health and other decisions affecting children.
Where appropriate, agreements can be documented in a Parenting Plan. As an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Melissa can also issue section 60I certificates where the legislative requirements are met.
Property Mediation
Property mediation provides separating couples with a structured process to discuss the division of property, finances and other practical matters arising from separation. The mediator remains impartial and assists both people to identify the issues that need to be resolved, exchange relevant information, consider options and work towards an agreement. Participants are encouraged to obtain independent legal and financial advice where appropriate.
Civil & Workplace Mediation
We also provide mediation for workplace, interpersonal and civil disputes where communication has become difficult or people need assistance reaching a practical resolution. Mediation can assist participants to clarify the issues, hear different perspectives, identify what needs to change and explore options for resolving the dispute. Depending on the circumstances, this may include workplace relationships, communication difficulties, professional disputes, interpersonal conflict and other civil matters.
What to expect
Before mediation, we meet individually with each participant to understand the issues, explain the process and assess whether mediation is appropriate.
The mediation is then structured around the particular needs of the matter. Our role is not to make decisions for participants, but to support a fair and constructive conversation so that participants can make their own informed decisions about the outcome.
Family Dispute Resolution — $2,500
Includes individual preparation, assessment and a three-hour co-facilitated mediation, together with preparation of agreed outcomes.
Other mediation matters are quoted as per complexity of the matter.
Training, Consulting & Supervision
Building confidence for complex conversations and challenging work
Restorative Solutions provides tailored training, professional consultation and supervision for practitioners and organisations working with conflict, harmful behaviour, trauma and complex interpersonal situations.
Our approach brings together extensive experience in restorative practice, psychology, mediation, law, family dispute resolution and trauma-informed practice. Training and consultation are practical, reflective and designed to translate knowledge into skills that can be used in everyday professional practice.
Training & Professional Development
Training can be developed for the particular needs of your team, organisation or practice. Areas of training may include restorative practice, responding to harmful behaviour, accountability, trauma-informed communication, domestic and family violence, sexual harm, managing difficult conversations, conflict resolution and mediation skills.
Sessions can range from focused workshops through to more comprehensive professional development programs and can incorporate case discussions, practical exercises and reflective learning.
Consulting
Sometimes an organisation or practitioner needs specialist input rather than a training program. We provide consultation around complex matters, restorative processes, conflict management, communication, accountability and the development or review of restorative approaches and practices. Consultation can be provided for a particular matter, practice issue, team or broader organisational need.
Professional Supervision
We provide reflective professional supervision for practitioners working in areas involving conflict, trauma, restorative practice, mediation and complex or sensitive interpersonal work. Supervision provides a confidential space to reflect on practice, consider challenging matters, explore professional decision-making and maintain clear professional boundaries.
The focus is not simply on discussing individual cases, but on supporting safe, thoughtful and sustainable professional practice.Tailored to your needsEvery organisation and practitioner is different.
Training, consulting and supervision can therefore be tailored according to the experience of participants, the nature of the work and the outcomes you are seeking. Contact us to discuss what would be most useful for you or your organisation.