Support for use of restorative practice in independent care review

Sir Martin Narey has released the report of his independent review of children’s residential care. The review received evidence from voluntary, statutory and private sector bodies, and Sir Martin met with key stakeholders and visited a number of children’s homes.

The RJC welcomes the report’s recommendation for the use of restorative practice in care homes to deal with low level bad behaviour. This acknowledged evidence from the RJC and others that responding to low-level misbehaviour with restorative practice can have a significant impact on the unnecessary criminalisation of children. In particular, the report highlights the protocol across local authorities and police forces in the South-East of England, where restorative practice is the default method to manage behaviour in care homes.  

The report recommends that: “The Department for Education and the Home Office should urge police services and local authorities to replicate the South-East protocol, or to agree similar arrangements. And, where they are not already doing so, to apply a restorative justice approach in dealing with children’s unacceptable behaviour.”

Jon Collins, the RJC’s chief executive, said: “These are some of the most vulnerable young people in society, and we need to do all we can to ensure that they are given the best possible chance of succeeding in life. Restorative practice is an effective way of supporting that aim and I am very pleased to see that Sir Martin recognises this in his review.

“I hope that the government implements Sir Martin’s recommendations regarding restorative practice, and the RJC will make every effort to support this.”