Restorative Justice Week is an international campaign that celebrates the power that restorative justice (RJ) can have in bringing peace to communities.
We spoke to Lauren, our Restorative Justice Officer, why RJ is important and what her role involves.
What is restorative justice?
RJ is a way of resolving issues between neighbours, staff etc. It’s about bringing people together who have been affected by a dispute, conflict or crime with those that are responsible. We organise for them to have a conversation in a safe environment, with the aim of resolving their issues.
What do you do as a RJ officer?
As a RJ officer, I meet with tenants and various stakeholders to resolve issues and to educate them on restorative justice.
What’s been your favourite thing about working for Midland Heart?
My favourite thing is that every day is different. I get to work with a great team and meet many of our tenants. It’s nice being able to help tenants resolve their issues, meaning they’re happier in their homes.
What do you do on a day to day basis?
Some of the smaller tasks I do is liaise with the Tenancy Service Officers so we can offer RJ to cases that are appropriate, I book and attend initial meetings with those involved so I can gain an understanding of what the issue is and how it’s affecting them and I talk all those involved through the RJ process and discuss how it could support them.
Some of the bigger tasks include planning RJ conferences (conferences are when we bring together to parties who have had the problems), including sourcing suitable venues, finding a time and date that suits everyone, and then facilitating that meeting alongside the Tenancy Service Officers.
At the end of the meeting, both parties reach an outcome agreement that suits them both. They each have a signed copy, as does the Tenancy Service Officer for the case, so everyone knows where they stand, and what’s expected of them going forward.
Why is RJ week so important?
Restorative Justice week raises awareness of RJ and the impact it can have.
Many people can be hesitant to engage with the service because it can be intimidating to sit in a room with the person/people you don’t get on with and then discuss the reason for the conflict.
Having that conversation in a safe, neutral environment and having staff there to guide that conversation, will ensure it’s positive and constructive for all involved.
How did I get involved in RJ?
I have a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and have previously worked in prisons in a few different roles. My last job role was managing the RJ service for a charity. I enjoyed the role so much, but after 6 years of working in prisons, I was ready for a new challenge.
How do I apply for RJ?
If you need to request a RJ meeting, you can do this through our form on the website under ‘How do I sign up for RJ?’
Once you have submitted your form, you can expect a phone call back from one of our RJ officers. They’ll have a confidential chat with you to help you decide if RJ is the right option for you.
We understand how difficult it can be to resolve issues with your neighbours. In some situations, it can be helpful to have an unbiased person lead the conversation and help everyone involved to share their side of the story.
We have lots of useful information on RJ on our webpage and you can read about one of our success stories here.
