Restorative Justice Action Plan 2019 - 23

Outcome 1: Restorative Justice is available across Scotland

Activity

• CJS have recruited two new RJ staff members – RJ Development Officer focussing on participation, communication and engagement and an RJ Administrative Officer
• The CJS RJ project team have provided the following information to the Scottish Government in support of the Lothian and Borders RJ test project, to inform decision making on resource required: Sheriffdom Lothian and Borders Mapping Outcomes Report and Sheriffdom Referral Pathways Proposal Paper. Products have been consulted on and informed by local and national stakeholders within the Lothian and Borders Sheriffdom, with further consultation to occur
• A Sheriffdom development group has been established, which has over 50 members
• Two Sheriffdom development group meetings have taken place in this reporting period. Meeting 1 focused on setting the scene: progress of funded projects – topics included Lothian and Borders Mapping Exercise Report, Training Needs Analysis outcomes and progress of RJ Thriving Survivors Sexual Harm Service. Meeting 2 focused on RJ risk and mitigation – topics included general RJ awareness. A potential referral pathways paper is currently with the RJ stakeholder group for comment before consultation begins in the Sheriffdom area with local partners

Activity

Progress

• CYCJ have been working on their project plan and this has been cross-referenced with the CJS project plan in terms of the partnership aspect of the initial test project
• CYCJ have continued to work on a Children’s Rights Impact Assessment
• CYCJ have completed an initial Codes of Practice for children and young people and await confirmation of agreement of referral pathways before it is sent to stakeholders for comment
• In addition to the part time development worker post in place, CYCJ have recruited a full time RJ development worker to support the delivery of the action plan and the initial test project in the Lothian and Borders area 
• CYCJ will co-chair a sub-group for the trauma informed risk and strengths framework for RJ in partnership with CJS

Activity

Progress

• A number of partnerships have been developed with organisations within the Sheriffdom area 
• Lived experience group has been developed and actively contributes to our working groups and policy developments
• Our 16-week storytelling and processing service is in final stages of development and will be ready for launch early 2023
• The working groups have been established and cover a wide range of expertise to provide a level of quality assurance and oversight

Activity

Progress

• RJ academics from the University of Sheffield, University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University were commissioned by the Scottish Government to research risk mitigation strategies utilised by experienced RJ facilitators for participation in an RJ process. The report has now been published.
• Subgroups on RJ and information sharing, and a trauma informed risk and strengths RJ framework are currently being set up
• CJS have published a paper in support of the development of a trauma informed risk and strengths framework

Outcome 2: Restorative Justice is delivered by highly trained and skilled facilitators

Activity

Progress

• The University of Strathclyde completed a national Training Needs Analysis to inform RJ training requirements

Activity

Progress

• Foundational level training completed
• Intermediate training completed
• Advanced training completed
• My RJ training completed (case management system)
• RJ practice days
• Harmful sexual behaviour training completed
• 14 people about to begin specialist training

Outcome 3: There is a public awareness and understanding of Restorative Justice across Scotland

Activity

Progress

• Restorative Justice section now live on the online learning hub
• In Q2, 834 people engaged with the learning hub; 303 with the section providing information on restorative justice 

Activity

Progress

• CJS, CYCJ and Thriving Survivors are collaborating on content of communications during RJ week – 20^th – 26^th November 2022
• Engagement with the VAW sector continues, and CJS now have a GBV RJ mailing list with over 60 members. CJS completed an input at East Ayrshire VAW partnership, meetings took place with Womens Aid East & Midlothian, Rape Crisis Edinburgh
• Trauma Leads – CJS have made links to share knowledge and understanding of the complimentary aspects of RJ and trauma informed practice
• CJS have completed RJ action plan inputs at CJP meetings at Perth & Kinross, Fife and Ayrshire
• A consultation has taken place within the Lothian and Border Sheriffdom to identify any FAQs in relation to the RJ initial test project. The themes identified have been shared with the Scottish Government and we are currently working on a response for stakeholders
• Planning is underway to consult stakeholders in the test site area about their needs in relation to training in RJ themes and their preferred methods of communication

Activity

Progress

• Daily social media posts to raise awareness of RJ
• Monthly blogs from RJ team
• Attended a number of partnership events
• Hosted a gathering event (SEC)
• Continued stakeholder engagement

Restorative Justice Animation

Useful documents

Contacts