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New national RJC Restorative Practitioner Register launched with Justice Minister Crispin Blunt

The Restorative Justice Council launched a new national register of restorative practitioners on Tuesday 13th September, the first of its kind internationally.

With start-up investment from the Ministry of Justice, and based on the new UK-wide National Occupational Standards in Restorative Practice, the register will provide quality assurance for the public – particularly anyone considering taking part in restorative justice – that they are being offered a safe and effective approach.

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt commented ““Restorative Justice is a unique process that helps to repair the damage caused by crime as well as helping to stop offenders committing further crimes. It demands criminals take an active role in acknowledging the harm they have caused, as well as making amends.


“Practitioner registration is essential in building public confidence in restorative justice and providing anyone considering participation in restorative justice with a transparent check on whether the person working with them is qualified to do so. 

"If we are to better tackle the rate of criminals who reoffend, and so bring down crime, we are clear that we must have robust programmes of both punishment and reform available to our courts.

“Making criminals to see for themselves the consequences of their actions, as well undertake tough punishments, can be an effective part of this; and crucially, this gives victims a say in how offenders make amends

“The register we are launching today will encourage the increased use of restorative justice by making it quicker and easier to find a local practitioner, as well as acting as the first-ever benchmark of quality and professionalism that ensures victims are safeguarded.”

Lizzie Nelson, RJC Director commented

““Restorative practice changes lives. We know that for some victims of crime, meeting the offender is what lets them move forward. For offenders, meeting the victim can be what gives them the motivation to stop offending. RJ reduces the incidence of bullying in schools, leading to fewer exclusions. And it can be used to resolve conflict in communities before problems escalate.

"The practitioners doing this skilful and effective work deserve professional recognition; and the public deserves transparent assurance that they are being offered a safe and effective process. The new national RJC Practitioner Register provides both.”

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13th Sep 2011 | RJC Event | RJC

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