Restorative Process

The format for a Restorative chat is to ask the parties the following questions (Margaret Thorsborne):

To the wrongdoer:
- What happened?
- What were you thinking when ...? (for each main part of the event) - if they do not respond, ask, Was it right or wrong? Was it respectful or disrespectful?
- Who do you think has been affected by what you did?
In what way?
- What do you need to do to make things right?
- How can we make sure this doesn't happen again?
- What can I do to help?

To the victim:
- What happened?
- What did you think when (for each main part of the event) happened?
- How has it affected you?
- What's been the worst of it?
- What's needed to make things right?
- How can we make sure this doesn't happen again?

Often through the above questioning, it becomes apparent that both parties need to take responsibility for their behaviour choices and an apology is required from both. Mostly the outcome is an apology and an assurance that the behaviour will stop. If the students do not choose to participate in the process, the adults involved will make the decision about the appropriate consequence. If behaviour continues or is of a more serious nature, the restorative process is used but involves parents and a more formal procedure is followed.