Restorative justice: action plan

We Will: 

• Map the existing provision of RJ in Scotland.
• Establish the most effective model for restorative justice in Scotland.
• Ensure those taking part in restorative justice can access relevant support before, during and after any intervention.
• Where appropriate facilitate the safe sharing of information to inform strong RJ processes.

We Will:

• Commission and complete a National RJ Training Needs Analysis.
• Develop a training requirements document, outcomes and evaluation framework.
• Support the design and delivery of an accessible RJ training package.
• Accredit training and ensure its continuous monitoring and evaluation.
• Develop the National RJ Practitioners Network in Scotland.

We Will:

• Complete a national opinion survey on RJ to inform key messages.
• Deliver an National RJ Communications Strategy based on evidence gleaned.
• Establish an RJ Champions Network across local areas and stakeholders.

We will establish a stakeholder group to assess the resource implications, and manage/oversee delivery, of the following actions:

We will map the existing availability of RJ in Scotland to identify how best to support the consistent provision of RJ across the country.

We will establish the most effective model for RJ in Scotland, recognising that different approaches are required for both the criminal justice and children’s systems by:

- Collating and examining both national and international evidence.

- Considering existing resources and local requirements.

- Examining the needs of both those who have been harmed and persons who have harmed.

We will help those taking part in RJ to access support before, during and after any process by:

- Working with local Community and Youth Justice Partnerships and the third sector to identify consistent, accessible pathways to support services.

- Ensure training in RJ includes a trauma-informed component.

We will facilitate and monitor the safe sharing of information to inform strong RJ processes by:

- Establishing good practice examples and templates for sharing information where appropriate.

- Monitoring data sharing developments in order to ensure proportional and necessary sharing that facilitates safe and appropriate RJ processes.

• Stakeholder group is in place with representation from key organisations.
• A Terms of Reference is in place for this stakeholder group.

• A document summarising the findings of a mapping exercise on existing RJ provision in Scotland is published.

• There is agreement to, and national support for, an evidence-based RJ model for Scotland.

• A pathway to relevant support services can be identified in every local authority area.
• People can access support within an agreed timeframe.
• All training includes a trauma-informed component.

• Services have access to guidance, support, practice and templates that support information sharing in RJ.
• A framework is in place which allows the monitoring and review the safe sharing of information to facilitate RJ processes.
• Local information sharing processes can be tested and found to be robust.

Establish a stakeholder group to assess the resource implications, and manage/oversee delivery, of the following actions:

We will commission and complete a national RJ training needs analysis which will:

- Identify which skills are required for individuals and organisations.

- Identify the scale of requirement for RJ training in Scotland. 

- Identify future developments which may impact on requirements.

We will develop a training requirements document, outcomes and evaluation framework based on the findings of the training needs analysis.

We will support the design and delivery of an accessible RJ training package by:

- Working with any service(s) delivering against the training requirements and outcomes to ensure high quality provision.

- Develop national and international links across academia and RJ training providers to ensure best practice.

We will accredit training and ensure its continuous evaluation by:

- Working with an accreditation provider to achieve this once training has been implemented in Scotland.

- Developing a monitoring and evaluation framework with any service(s) delivering against training requirements and outcomes.

- Reviewing data received on the provision and quality of training, making regular recommendations for improvement where necessary.

- Ensuring training and ongoing practice is informed and developed by meaningful engagement and feedback from communities and victims’ representative organisations.

We will support and draw from the existing national RJ Forum Practitioners Network, and the RJ Forum Research Network, by:

- Publicising the Practitioners Network as an opportunity for facilitators from different agencies to develop and share practice.

- Increasing the ability of the networks to share practice and information digitally, reaching a wider number of recipients.

End 2021

• Stakeholder group is in place with representation from key organisations.
• A Terms of Reference is in place for this stakeholder group.

• A training needs analysis has been completed which can inform the development of a requirements document. 

• A training requirements document, outcomes and evaluation framework is produced.

• A training package reflective of the needs of services and communities in Scotland is available for delivery by consistent, accessible providers.

• All RJ training provided is accredited.
• An evaluation and monitoring framework is in place to routinely consider the quality and provision of RJ training in Scotland.
• A regular review of training provision has been established.

• The Networks are meeting regularly and sharing practice and information to support improved RJ.
• The Networks can access a digital platform which supports them to share and influence more widely. 

Establish a stakeholder group to assess the resource implications, and manage/oversee delivery, of the following actions:

We will engage with stakeholders across Scotland, and with specific groups, in order to:

- Identify current opinions on RJ and use these to inform key messages.

- Work with people who have been harmed and those who have harmed to understand their opinions on RJ, and their needs from the process, to best reflect these in national campaigns.

- Baseline opinion within specific areas in order to measure any change in this over time. 

Establish an RJ Champions Network across local areas and stakeholders which will:

- Support the implementation of an agreed model for restorative justice in Scotland.

- Promote key messages and raise awareness of restorative justice and its benefits within local communities.

- Communicate effectively across Scotland, sharing practice and resources where appropriate.

We will deliver a National RJ Communications Strategy which:

- Includes key messages on RJ to be used across strategies and guidance.

- Considers different approaches to increase awareness of RJ and its potential use.

- Provides a toolkit for local areas to deliver, including key messages, resources and information on RJ tailored for victims, people who commit harm, communities and services. 

- Includes a mechanism for the routine monitoring and evaluation of communication methods.

• Stakeholder group is in place with representation from key organisations.
• A Terms of Reference is in place for this stakeholder group.

• Key messages are identified.
• An opinion survey has been completed and includes representation from victims of crime and those who commit harm.
• Changes in opinions on RJ can be measured against an established baseline.

• A network of RJ champions are identified and in place across Scotland. They have a clear remit.
• RJ champions can evidence their use of the communications tool kit and key messages.
• The network are sharing practice and resources where appropriate.

• A national RJ Communications Strategy is in place and actions are being taken forward. 
• A toolkit has been provided to support local areas, and is being used to raise awareness of RJ and its benefits across their communities.
• Changes in public awareness and understanding of RJ in Scotland can be robustly measured.