How Do You Implement A Restorative Approach?
How Do You Implement A Restorative Approach or Restorative Practices in the School Community?
When you think about your favorite team experiences, what comes to mind? For us, it was being part of teams where the bar was high, and the support—both in resources and emotional connection—was even higher. It was the safety of knowing that if you made a mistake, you’d be understood and forgiven, but also challenged to grow. Our favorite teams were ones that made time for fun, checked in on each other, and valued connection beyond just the work at hand. They also made space for the hard conversations—acknowledging when something went wrong, talking about the impact, and working together to repair it.
More than ever, especially in education, people need team cultures that feel good and make them want to show up. The same is of course true for students.
A restorative approach in schools builds this kind of culture—one that fosters relationships, encourages accountability, and provides opportunities for repair within a supportive classroom community. Instead of only being disciplined, students are guided to understand the impact of their actions, reflect, and take meaningful steps to make things right. These practices empower students to learn from their mistakes and understand the consequences of their actions.
How to Implement Restorative Practices in Schools
Implementing a restorative approach requires thoughtful planning and intentionality. At Collaborative School Culture (CSC), we emphasize that Restorative Practices are not simply a set of tools or responses but a mindset shift that transforms the way schools build relationships and address harm. Our approach involves six key steps for successful implementation:
Assess Readiness: Schools begin by evaluating their existing systems, such as PBIS frameworks, behavioral flowcharts, and classroom management strategies. This ensures a solid foundation for integrating Restorative Practices in schools.
Gather Voice and Build Buy-In: Stakeholders—teachers, students, leaders, and families—must be engaged from the start. Using Fair Process Decision Making, schools can gather input, uncover potential challenges, and create shared ownership of the process. School districts play a crucial role in this phase by fostering collaboration and ensuring a unified approach across all schools.
Restorative Practices Training: Foundational training equips staff with the skills and mindset necessary for success. Professional development covers strategies like affective statements, curbside conversations, restorative questions, circles, and strategies for initiating hard conversations.
Phased Implementation: Instead of rushing, schools roll out practices gradually. This slow-drip approach allows time to build capacity, refine processes, and ensure staff feel supported instead of overwhelmed, and is a surefire method for making sure it sticks over time.
Embed Practices into Systems: Restorative Practices must become part of the school’s daily routines and systems, woven into existing structures like PBIS and classroom procedures. Sustainability depends on operationalizing these practices to foster a positive school climate.
Monitor and Adapt: Schools track progress using metrics such as suspension rates, behavioral referrals, and climate surveys. Regular coaching and feedback loops help ensure practices remain relevant and impactful.
Unlike many organizations that offer Restorative Practices or Restorative Justice training, CSC also provides in-depth guidance on implementing schoolwide systems and procedures. This experience-driven approach ensures that Restorative Practices become a sustainable part of the school culture.
What Is An Example Of A Restorative Approach or Restorative Practices in Schools?
Restorative Practices thrive when woven into the daily fabric of school life, especially when leaders embed them into staff culture and teachers embed restorative practices into the classroom. These practices are not limited to student interactions but also strengthen staff relationships and culture. Here are some examples of Restorative Practices:
Restorative Circles: Used for community building, academic discussions, or addressing harm. For example, a teacher might hold a responsive circle to resolve a classroom conflict, allowing students to share their perspectives and collectively decide on a resolution.
Restorative Conversations: Guided by the Restorative Questions, these conversations help individuals reflect on their actions, understand their impact, and determine ways to make amends.
Peer Mediation: Students trained in restorative techniques guide their peers through resolving conflicts, fostering accountability and empathy.
Classroom Re-Entry Plans: After a suspension or removal, restorative conversations help reintegrate students into the classroom and rebuild trust.
These practices contribute significantly to the school community by enhancing connections and creating a sense of belonging, which ultimately leads to a more positive school climate and successful student outcomes.
For instance, a student disrupting class might typically be sent to the office in a traditional system. In a restorative approach, the teacher might have a restorative conversation with the student to understand the student's behavior, its impact on others, and how to repair any harm caused. This process doesn’t replace discipline—it enhances it by addressing the root causes, building social-emotional skills, and strengthening relationships.
What Are The 5 Rs Of Restorative Practices or Restorative Justice?
The 5 R’s of Restorative Practices or Restorative Justice—Respect, Responsibility, Relationship-building, Reintegration, and Repair—are often cited as guiding principles for fostering a restorative culture. Restorative practices represent a significant shift from traditional discipline methods that often rely on punitive measures. While these values provide an important philosophical foundation, they can fall short when it comes to practical application in schools. They lack the clarity needed to operationalize Restorative Practices in ways that educators can consistently implement. Effective school leadership is essential for implementing these practices, fostering a positive school culture, and ensuring staff buy-in. At CSC, we’ve found that none of the 5 R’s address the foundational first step: the ability to calm yourself and others before deciding what comes next. That’s why we’ve expanded on these principles with our actionable Five Steps of Restorative Practices: Calm Self, Calm Other, Reflect, Repair, and Plan. This framework transforms abstract values into clear strategies that educators can apply in real-time, ensuring they feel confident and supported during implementation. By combining the philosophy of the 5 R’s with practical, step-by-step guidance, we help schools bring the restorative approach to life in meaningful ways.
The Importance of Relevant Restorative Practices Training
Implementing restorative practices requires more than just understanding the concepts—it’s about building confidence through practice and ongoing support. High-quality Restorative Practices training provides educators with the tools and strategies needed to integrate these approaches into their daily routines.
Research on implementation science shows that simply attending training or watching videos is unlikely to lead to meaningful change. Without active participation, modeling, and coaching, adoption rates for new practices can be as low as 14% (Fixsen et al., 2005). Effective training should include role-playing, real-world application, and continuous feedback. Fresno Unified School District has successfully integrated these strategies into their schools.
At CSC, we design training to be practical, engaging, and tailored to the unique needs of each school. Whether in-person or virtual, our sessions emphasize the importance of communication strategies, such as how to start a restorative conversation, and how to integrate these practices into systems like PBIS.
If you’re ready to bring this transformative approach to your school, reach out to us at Collaborative School Culture. Our expert training and hands-on support will guide you every step of the way to create meaningful, sustainable change.