Registered Practitioner (Northern Ireland)

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Registered Practitioner (NI) with the RJC. As a Registered Practitioner (NI), you will be demonstrating that you are committed to delivering high-quality restorative practice in line with the Standards of Practice set out in the Department of Justice’s Adult Restorative Justice Strategy, Northern Ireland.

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The strategy sets out the backdrop to, and evidence-base for, the use of restorative justice processes as a vehicle for transformational change, as well as healing for the person who has been harmed and the person who has caused harm across the whole continuum of the criminal justice system. It aims to provide a platform

for an overarching strategic and co-ordinated approach to implementing restorative justice. The Adult Restorative Justice Strategy was also informed by the Victim and Witness Strategy for Northern Ireland 2021 – 24 and the Victim Charter and at its core is the intention to:

• Place the person who has been harmed front and centre of the criminal justice system;
• Improve how we meet the needs of, and provide redress for, the harm and/or trauma caused by crime;
• Develop appropriate structures and opportunities to allow the person who has been harmed to be involved, whether directly or indirectly, in decisions that affect them;
• Find an effective alternative to punitive responses and establish positive ways of dealing with crime and offending which reduce future harm;
• Engage and challenge the person who has caused harm to understand the effects of their actions on the person who has been harmed and the wider community; and
• Improve outcomes for all those affected by offending behaviour, whether it be the person who has been harmed, the person who has caused harm, families or communities.

Following the launch of the strategy, an extensive review of the 2007 Protocol was commissioned by the Minister of Justice. It was acknowledged that while of its time, the Protocol had been in place for over 14 years and therefore required critical appraisal. The review was undertaken by a panel of three criminal justice experts, and published in February 2023, along with a draft proposal for a new, revised edition.

This 2023 Restorative Justice Protocol reflects a changed societal, political and criminal justice landscape within which restorative practice has become embedded in a variety of contexts. It highlights the evolution of restorative justice within the formal justice system and community-based restorative justice, as well as lessons learned from the challenges and successes of both.

It is designed to present a fresh approach to the relationship between our criminal justice system and community and voluntary sector organisations that deliver restorative practice and justice services. It also identifies the accreditation processes to be followed to guarantee and assure stakeholders that any non-statutory organisation, or individual, working in partnership with the criminal justice system must evidence practice that is:

• centred around the person who has been harmed;
• of high standard and quality;
• upholding the rule of law;
• in line with international human rights standards; and
• fully aligned with restorative principles and values.

Accredited restorative justice practitioners must work to fundamental standards to operate within and uphold the rule of law, have a proven track record of working with criminal justice agencies, adhere to international human rights standards, and work with all criminal justice agencies, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

The aim of the Restorative Justice Protocol and this Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework is to provide a victim-centred restorative approach to the aftermath of an offence. It also aims to ensure that people who choose to participate in a restorative justice intervention will be confident that they will be safe from further harm and will experience a high-quality service.

The Restorative Justice Protocol outlines opportunities to consider a restorative justice process throughout the criminal justice continuum and applies to all types of formal engagements between accredited non-statutory organisations and individuals.

These levels of engagement will be facilitated by individuals whose accreditation is commensurate with their level of competency and experience.

Level One (Foundation): Accredited to undertake restorative approaches for incidents that fall beneath the criminal justice threshold, but have the potential to escalate to the attention of the police.

Level Two (Intermediate): Accredited to undertake restorative justice work relating to formal criminal justice cases.

Level Three (Advanced): Accredited to complete specialist restorative justice processes relating to particularly sensitive, complex, and serious crimes.

To apply for Accreditation with the Northern Ireland Department of Justice, you MUST demonstrate that you meet the training requirements set out in the Adult Restorative Justice Practice Standards and Accreditation Framework 2025.

This Framework states that it is essential for practitioners seeking accreditation MUST be currently registered as having a Restorative Justice Council ‘Registered Restorative justice practitioner’ accreditation at the appropriate level or have completed restorative practice/justice training or equivalent.

We have been careful to ensure that our Registration Framework is fully aligned with the Department of Justice’s Adult Restorative Justice Protocol. 

Our Framework sets out how people delivering restorative practice/justice across Northern Ireland should work. It puts the values of restoration, impartiality, safety, and empowerment at the heart of practitioner casework.

The Framework is broken into three performance indicators:

• Appropriateness to practice
• Delivering restorative practice
• Maintaining professional standards

Each indicator consists of a number of standards which outline the requirements in terms of skills, knowledge, and application. For each standard, there is a list of indicators that practitioners are required to evidence.

1. Appropriateness to Practice

1.1 - Completion of core training

1.2 - Practitioner facilitation experience

1.3 - Completion of pre-employment checks

1.4 - Confirmation of appropriateness to practice

1.5 - Practitioner case supervision arrangements

1.6 - Understanding and applying restorative practice principles, legislation, and standards

2. Delivering Restorative Practice

2.1 - Initial engagement with potential participants

2.2 - Risk and safety assessment

2.3 - Preparing participants

2.4 - Delivering restorative practice

2.5 - Co-working

2.6 - Facilitating and monitoring agreed outcomes

2.7 - Follow-up support and evaluation

3. Maintaining Professional Standards 

3.1 - Adhering to the RJC’s Practitioner Code of Practice

3.2 - Commitment to, and evidence of, continuing professional development 

Below you will find further details of how you can become registered with the RJC.

Practitioners applying for registration are required to submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating how they meet our registration standards. The portfolio consists of the following key elements:

• Practitioner Portfolio Record 
• Practitioner Case Study
• Employer Confirmation Statement
• Assessor Professional Discussion
• Signed Practitioner Code of Practice (Northern Ireland)

Upon receipt of your Registration Application, you will be provided with a copy of the RJC's Registered Practitioner (NI) Application Guidance. This document includes applicant guidance and evidence requirements against each indicator.

Once you have gathered your evidence, you will need to submit your portfolio for assessment and undertake your professional discussion. Your assessor will review the documentation provided and may contact you to request additional evidence or to arrange a suitable time to discuss the evidence provided.

Once the assessment process is completed, your assessor will make a recommendation to the RJC’s Chief Executive Officer who will make the final decision to accept or reject the recommendation of the assessor and will inform the applicant of the decision with reasons.

Initial assessment fee - £789, which includes a membership with the RJC.

The annual cost of maintaining your Registered Practitioner (NI) status is £221.

Registered Practitioners can apply to be assessed at a higher level at the point of renewal. The cost of being assessed against a higher level is £416 in addition to your renewal fee outlined above.

Are you ready to apply for registration?

SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION HERE