Trauma Responsive and Restorative Practices

Restorative Practices are intentional ways that school leaders, teachers, staff, and students establish healthy relationships in order to build community within a school. Restorative Practices promote respect, dignity, and mutual concern. They can also be used to repair harm within the school community, when necessary.

The purpose of Restorative Practices (RPs) in schools is “to create just and equitable learning environments for all students, nurture healthy relationships, repair harm and transform conflict.” When a relationship is harmed by an individual or members within the school community, an entire classroom and school/community can be directly or indirectly affected. Healing and rebuilding community is based upon acknowledgment of the harm, acceptance of responsibility for causing harm, and an agreement, by all parties involved, on the best way(s) to resolve the conflict and restore the relationship.