What is Restorative Mediation?

Restorative mediation brings people who are in conflict into communication in order to repair harm by giving them a voice in a safe environment. 

With a restorative mediation intervention there is no identified victim and offender relationship. In this way restorative interventions can be used anywhere to prevent conflict, build relationships and repair harm by enabling people to communicate effectively and positively.

Restorative Mediation is an intervention that:- 

• Brings together people who are involved in ongoing conflict which is causing harm. 
• Creates a supported environment where participants find and own their own solutions after sharing the impact of the conflict. 
• Aims to increase understanding and therefore tolerance between participants. 
• Requires participants to take personal responsibility for outcomes. 
• Focusses on solutions and the future. 

Restorative Mediation is NOT:- 

• Soft arbitration. 
• Legally binding. 
• A means to resolve a legal dispute. 

Restorative Mediation aims to engage participants in direct communication as this is considered more impactive, but other forms of restorative practice may be available

Mediation short case study

Case referred to RJ Dorset by Dorset police after reports of ongoing conflict and complaints to police between neighbours involving a variety of issues which had impacted on everyone's quality of life.   All parties agreed to take part in a face-to-face facilitated meeting after speaking at length to the facilitators and identifying their needs going forward and the desire for things to change.     

The facilitated mediation meeting gave the opportunity for  all parties to talk about the triggers for the conflict, how the conflict had made them feel and what was important for them moving forward.   This formed the basis of the outcome agreement which set out an agreed course of action and behaviours for the future.         

The following comments were fed back to the facilitators after the meeting 

‘It was very helpful that everyone could sit in a circle without tables’ 

It enabled misunderstandings to be cleared up and revealed personal feelings’  

'It was good to work through an agreement for the future'  

Hopefully things will now change, we will have to wait and see’.  

How do I find out more or make a referral?

The service only accepts referral from appropriate agencies who have assessed the referral as suitable for restorative mediation.

You can refer to Restorative Justice Service for Dorset by contacting the following:

Tel: 07535 692669 / 07535 692584
Email: RJDorset@restorativesolutions.org.uk

Click below to download the external referral form:

Mediation Referral form

Any restorative mediation process is voluntary and all parties must consent to the referral being made.

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Or call us on 07535 692669 / 07535 692584

Case Studies

A Street Robbery

Daniel contacted the Restorative Justice team after he committed a street robbery on Carl. “The p...

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Burglary Case

Victim initiated referral after receiving information about Restorative Justice from victim bureau staff when given court result. Victim was still ...

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Burglary: John & Lucy

John burgled Lucy’s home when she was outside hanging out her washing. When she came inside, she found him standing in her property. She describe...

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Conditional Cautions and Restorative Justice

One evening in December 2023, Brad was driving along a motorway when a car indicated to join the carriageway from a slip road, causing him to swerv...

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Injury By Dangerous Driving

The offender, Sam*, had committed the offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. This was a first time offence, and he was extremely r...

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Neighbours' Dispute

A neighbours’ dispute had been occurring between John*, who owned a house adjoining a public right of way, and Frank*, who was the son of the own...

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Non-Recent Child Sexual Abuse

The offences against Joshua were of a sexual nature and were committed in the 1980s, when Joshua was aged between 10 and 15 years old. To...

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Using a Restorative Approach to Address Conflict in the Home

A son was displaying an increasing level of verbal and physical abuse within the home. Mum has reached the point that she was scared that she could...

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What People Say About Restorative Justice

The facilitators have been wonderful. I feel stronger than I did. I would really recommend Restorative Justice.

Burglary Victim

Thank you for the letter, it has made a real difference to how I feel about what happened

From victim of a criminal damage to vehicle where the offender wanted to write a letter which explained what he had been feeling at the time and how sorry he was now.

Thank you for the letter, it has made a difference to how I feel.

Georgia, Victim of Crime

Thank you for the update, I felt reassured that the offender has apologised and that her behaviour was subject to some reflection and accountability.

Linda, Victim of Crime

He's done what he has been asked to do (apologise for the harm caused) - I'm very happy with that.

Kieran, Victim of Crime

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