Restorative Justice Action Plan 2019 - 23
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Quarterly Report
1st July - 30th September 2025
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This report updates on the progress and delivery of the Restorative Justice (RJ) Action Plan for the reporting period of 1 July - 30 September 2025. An annual report for the period 1 April 2024 - 31 March 2025 is available here. All previous quarterly and annual reports are available on the CJS Learning Hub.
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Outcome 1: Restorative Justice is available across Scotland
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Progress
The Policy and Practice Framework Document
The Scottish Government have been working to get the document ready for publication. Some final amendments required by the publishers has delayed the publication of the framework but we are expecting it to be published by the end of the year.
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Restorative Justice Test Cases
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The Scottish Government has provided funding to Community Justice Scotland (CJS) and Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ) to deliver the Restorative Justice (RJ) Test Case Project. Through this project, we aim to learn from existing RJ services to better understand how RJ is currently operating and how this learning can inform wider service development across Scotland.
This quarter, CJS and CYCJ, along with an independent analyst, focused on data collection and analysis of all test cases, ready for the report to be submitted to the Scottish Government. In total, nine adult and seven children’s RJ test cases, across a range of harm types, were successfully identified and recruited. The analyst (on behalf of CJS) co-authored the report with CYCJ, outlining key findings from the project. The report is in the final stages and will be shared with the Scottish Government in coming weeks. The team are looking forward to presenting findings from the report to attendees at the CYCJ event on 18 November and publishing the high level findings thereafter.
Thanks to all those who participated in the interviews for sharing their reflections - project findings will make an important contribution to Scotland-specific systems knowledge and will help shape next steps in supporting increased availability of RJ across Scotland.
Restorative Justice Development Forum
The second Restorative Justice Development Forum’s meeting took place on 5 August 2025. This bi-monthly forum is organised and chaired by CJS and CYCJ. It aims to provide a space for those in a leadership role from both statutory and voluntary sectors across Scotland to exchange knowledge and practice regarding the development of Restorative Justice in their local areas and overcoming challenges and barriers. The second forum meeting focused on an input by Gael Cochrane, Chair of the RJ Practitioner Network, on Developing an RJ Service: Exploring the First Steps and was attended by 18 individuals.
The next two forum meetings will take place on 2 December 2025, which will include an input on key findings from the test case project and 3 February 2026, which will welcome an input from Clair Aldington, Space2Face. If you would like to join the forum, please contact Lauren.Emmerson@strath.ac.uk or Michael.Purves@communityjustice.scot
Restorative Justice Service Directory
Work to develop a national directory of RJ service providers for adults and children in Scotland began in the previous quarter and has developed this quarter. A short-term advisory group to support the work has been established, co-chaired by CYCJ and CJS, and consisting of members from the Scottish Government, Sacro, Police Scotland, Victim Support Scotland (VSS), RJ Forum Scotland, Scottish Network for RJ Researchers, and RJ Council. The group will engage with Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA), the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and other partners who are not members of the group as appropriate during the process.
The group has met three times since its and is currently engaged in work to establish essential criteria for the tool through engagement with key stakeholders and potential users of the tool. Work has included CYCJ and CJS co-hosting wider consultation events with a range of stakeholders to identify user needs; with further work, supported by VSS and Sacro, planned for the next quarter. It is intended stakeholder engagement and scoping work will be completed by the end of next quarter and leading to a set of options being submitted to the Scottish Government in quarter four.
Stakeholder Engagement
CJS and CYCJ have continued to raise awareness of RJ across Scotland through targeted engagement with local authorities, third sector organisations, and a range of national and international stakeholders.
CYCJ has continued to support the Victim Support Scotland-led project work to develop a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service for adults and children affected by the criminal or offending behaviour of children in conflict with the law who are referred to the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration (SCRA). This work aligns with the Children (Care and Justice) (Scotland) Act 2024. CYCJ attended a number of events and meetings over this quarter including the blueprinting and theory of change review on 6 August. This work has continued to explore opportunities for restorative justice within development of the SPOC.
On 20 August, CJS delivered an input to the Rape Crisis Scotland National Group, focusing on restorative justice in cases of sexual harm. The session explored the potential benefits of restorative justice and shared insights from survivors regarding their experiences and needs within RJ processes.
CYCJ has continued to support Highlands in their work to develop RJ locally this quarter and have presented to Highland RJ working group and, in partnership with CJS colleagues, provided an input to the Community Justice Peer Network. On 11 September, CJS and CYCJ presented at the Restorative Justice: Exploring a Highland model event in Inverness, situating local development within the broader national context. The event has already led to positive outcomes, including new members joining the working group and increased support from key stakeholders. Plans are now being explored for piloting a local restorative justice service. Highlights from the event are available in the Stakeholder Spotlight section below, including a video and blog capturing key discussions and reflections.
This quarter, CYCJ have also responded to a request to peer review a new text on integrating restorative practice, providing guidance on the Scottish context of RJ with children and young people.
Registration opened for CYCJ’s event titled Restorative Justice in Scotland: A Day of Reflection, Learning and Action, with a focus on children and young people. CYCJ worked alongside Scottish Government and CJS colleagues to promote awareness of the event amongst victim support organisations, as well as those working to support those who cause harm. The event has generated huge amount of interest and due to over-subscribing the team have had to issue invitations to ensure fair and proportionate attendance across stakeholders. As well as those representing national organisations, representatives from 23 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities have registered. Planning for the event is underway and we’re looking forward to welcoming attendees to the event next quarter and conversations that will inform next steps for delivering on the vision of RJ being available to all.
Restorative Justice Team Update
Mhairi Henderson has moved on from RJ Administrator’s role. We are pleased to welcome Michael Purves as the new RJ Administrator. Recruitment of an RJ Project Lead to succeed Laura Orrlie who finished with CJS in this quarter completed. Chloe Boullier-Richards will join the team in October.
This quarter, CYCJ are pleased to welcome Tim Chapman as an Associate, who will contribute to the Centre’s practice, research and knowledge exchange activities. We look forward to exploring opportunities for Tim to support the ongoing development of RJ in Scotland.
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Outcome 2: Restorative Justice is delivered by highly trained and skilled facilitators
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Progress
Restorative Justice and Hate Crime Training
In September, CJS delivered a 4-day Restorative Justice and Hate Crime training course. Designed primarily for Justice Social Workers and those working in Community Justice, the course was also attended by a wider range of justice professionals. Ten participants from various local authorities – Edinburgh, Highlands, Dumfries and Galloway, and West Lothian – took part. The training focused on the specific harms associated with hate crime, the support needs of those affected, and how theory can be applied in practice. Grounded in the restorative justice principles taught by academic Tim Chapman (University of Strathclyde and the European Forum for Restorative Justice), the course prepared participants to facilitate restorative justice interventions.
Restorative Justice Online Learning Module
The RJ Learning Module has been developed by CJS for frontline, operational staff on Restorative Justice. The content was written by Prof Tim Chapman and Tania Nascimento, designed to offer a basic introduction to and overview of Restorative Justice.
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The module is available for stakeholders and the public and can be accessed via both the RJ Learning Hub and Resources section on CJS website.
In parallel, CYCJ has begun scoping opportunities to develop RJ-focused content for its newly launched eLearning platform.
Restorative Justice Practitioners' Network
CJS continues to chair the Scottish Restorative Justice Practitioners’ Network which is open to current restorative justice practitioners, those awaiting training or practice opportunities, and individuals with a general interest in restorative justice. A meeting on 14 August focused on partnership working and risk assessment.
CYCJ continued to field requests and enquiries from practitioners in the field, linking them in with both the Restorative Justice Practitioner’s Network, and training and practice opportunities across Scotland.
The next meeting will take place on 4 November 2025 and will be looking at outcome agreements and proportionality. If you would like to take part please contact Gael.Cochrane@communityjustice.scot.
Strategic Development of RJ Training and Accreditation in Scotland
This quarter, CJS, in collaboration with CYCJ, started scoping work on appraising strategic options for restorative justice training in Scotland.
CYCJ also met with the Restorative Justice Council, which has recently expanded its coverage to include Northern Ireland, to develop a deeper understanding of models for accrediting RJ practitioners. Discussion focussed on the potential benefits, opportunities, and challenges associated with such models. Insights from this engagement have been incorporated into broader collaborative work with CJS on the topic of RJ accreditation and training in Scotland.
Tools and Knowledge Sharing around Restorative Practices
CYCJ continues to chair the bi-monthly Restorative Approaches Group, which includes regular participation from YouthLink Scotland, CJS, and the Violence Reduction Unit. The group serves as a platform for sharing resources, identifying gaps in practice, exploring collaborative opportunities, and advancing a consistent and structured approach to restorative practices across Scotland.
The group met twice during this quarter, including one in-person meeting. Collaborative work to compile restorative practices training and materials across Scotland has resulted in a joint webpage hosted by Education Scotland. This resource provides national information on restorative approaches and can be accessed via the Relationships and behaviour: Professional learning tile. Organisational offers are categorised under Universal Support and Culture and Targeted Interventions.
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Outcome 3: There is a public awareness and understanding of Restorative Justice across Scotland
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Progress
Restorative Justice and Educational Inputs
In July, Community Justice Scotland participated in an interview with a postgraduate student conducting dissertation research on the use of restorative justice in domestic abuse cases in Scotland. The research explores the suitability of RJ approaches in addressing gender-based violence, and our input supported the student’s understanding of current practices and considerations in this sensitive area in a Scottish legal context.
In efforts to enhance conflict resolution and support difficult conversations at Northfield Academy in Aberdeen, CJS, alongside partners from CYCJ, delivered RJ facilitator’s training for 10 teachers. Following the first part of training in May, part two (remaining 2 days) was completed in August.
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Restorative Justice Exhibition
This quarter, CJS has been preparing the Restorative Justice Exhibition, which will feature as part of its upcoming national event, In the Age of AI, can Justice be Smarter?, on 7 October 2025. It will showcase the voices and experiences of people affected by harm, highlighting their thoughts, emotions, and aspirations for a trauma-informed restorative justice in Scotland.
The exhibition aims to raise awareness of RJ while fostering meaningful dialogue among attendees. It will be positioned to encourage reflection on the role of restorative justice in giving people a voice and active role in determining what justice means to them, centring human connection and lived experience to any justice process – particularly as justice systems explore the use of artificial intelligence to enhance efficiency and innovation.
Restorative Justice Awareness Week
Preparations are underway for Restorative Justice Week 2025, which will take place during 16-22 November. This year, CYCJ and CJS joined with Sacro to create a group tasked with supporting greater coordination of messaging and digital media campaigning over RJ Week. Other organisations and partnerships will be invited to support the messaging, with plans to expand group membership in the coming year to enhance stakeholder engagement and public reach moving forward.
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Stakeholder Spotlight
Event in Inverness organisers, speakers, and Geese Theatre Company performers
Restorative Justice: Exploring a Highland Model:
Reflections from Gabrielle Buist (HCJP)
On 11 September, the Highland Community Justice Partnership (HCJP) hosted a dynamic event in Inverness to explore how restorative justice (RJ) could be developed and embedded within Highland communities. The event brought together over 100 attendees – including professionals from justice services, police, prisons, courts, charities, and students – for a day of learning, reflection, and collaboration.
Through a blend of talks, performance and discussions, participants examined what a local RJ model might look like. Speakers from Community Justice Scotland (CJS), Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice (CYCJ), and Space2face in Shetland provided insights into RJ history, the national RJ landscape in Scotland and shared experiences from other regions. An interactive performance by Geese Theatre Company offered an immersive and emotional exploration of RJ in practice, helping attendees connect with its human impact.
This event served as a launch pad for future developments in Highland, sparking conversations and building momentum for local RJ services. Following the event, Gabrielle Buist, Senior Development Officer for the Highland Community Justice Partnership, reflected on the journey so far and the potential of RJ to benefit justice processes and community relationships in a blog post. Read the blog following this link: Strengthening Communities Through Restorative Justice in Highland.
Highlights from the event have also been captured in a video Restorative Justice: Exploring a Model for Highland.
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Restorative Justice Animation
Use this animation of Restorative Justice in Scotland to help raise awareness.
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Useful documents
Click the button below for useful information about Restorative Justice: research papers, reports and other documents, guidance and toolkits, signposting to other websites.
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Stakeholder Feedback Form
Click the button below to complete the form we are currently testing for communication with stakeholders. Please note, you may communicate anonymously, no personal details are required.
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