Professional Diploma in Restorative and Relational Practice (Schools) Level 4 / Level 5
This one-year professional diploma is designed specifically for education staff, supporting
schools to build strong relationships, respond more effectively to behaviour, and embed a
sustainable restorative culture.
Rather than adding pressure, the programme is structured to fit around the realities of
school life — with manageable weekly sessions, protected study breaks each half-term, and
a strong focus on real-world application. Practical strategies can be applied immediately in
your setting. Restorative practice is presented throughout as a protective and empowering
approach, not a permissive one.
COURSE DETAILS
What the Course Covers
Participants develop knowledge and skills across three key areas:
- Foundations — restorative values, behaviour as communication, child development, trauma-informed understanding, and psychological safety
- Practical Facilitation Skills — restorative language, the STING model of structured conversation, circles, conflict resolution, risk and suitability assessment, and facilitating restorative meetings with pupils, staff, and families
- Embedding Practice — consistency across a school, behaviour systems, whole-school culture, equity and disproportionality, monitoring and evaluation, and long-term sustainability
By the end of the programme, participants feel confident facilitating restorative conversations, supporting behaviour through relationships, and contributing to a more consistent and relational school culture.
An optional Advanced Diploma (Level 5) is also available, focused on leadership, implementation, and whole-school change.
Course Structure
- Duration: June 2026 – May 2027 (47 weeks)
- 28 live online sessions (via Teams/Zoom)
- 1 hour per week, typically 6–7pm
- Delivered during term time, with protected study breaks each half-term
- Structured into manageable 4–5 week teaching blocks
Sessions combine pre-recorded theory with live facilitated practice, ensuring the weekly hour is spent applying and developing skills rather than listening to lectures. Sessions are focused, practical, and immediately applicable — with no unnecessary workload or academic pressure.
Assessment
Assessment is practical and grounded in real school practice, including:
- Reflective practice journal
- Short research assignments
- Applied school-based project
- Practice reflections and scenarios
Participants build a portfolio grounded in real school practice, demonstrating competence across the full range of restorative skills and aligned to nationally recognised practitioner standards.
Who the Course is For
- Teachers and teaching assistants
- Pastoral and behaviour leads
- SENCOs and safeguarding staff
- Senior leaders and school improvement roles
- Alternative provision and specialist settings
No prior experience in restorative practice is required.
Programme Leadership
The programme is led by Harriet McSherry, an experienced teacher and Restorative Practice Lead who has implemented restorative approaches across multiple school settings. She continues to work in education, bringing current, real-world experience into every session.
Harriet's practice is rooted in the UK's restorative education movement, having trained in Hull — the UK's first restorative city — and developed her work within one of the country's earliest restorative schools.
COURSE DATES
Start: 22 June 2026
End: 21 May 2027
Weekly live sessions during term time, 6:00–7:00pm | Online (Teams/Zoom)
LOCATION
Online
COURSE FEES
Level 4 Professional Diploma: £2,990 (or £2,691 paid upfront — 10% saving)
Level 4 + Level 5 Combined Pathway: £3,990 (or £3,591 paid upfront — 10% saving)
Instalments available. School invoicing welcome.
Alongside the diploma, whole-school INSET sessions are available to complement and extend individual learning across your staff team. From £350 + expenses per session.
BOOKING INFORMATION
Visit: https://www.justiceacademy.org.uk/diploma-in-restorative-practice-for-schools
Email: training@restorative-iq.org
Tel: 0300 800 9000
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name | Harriet McSherry
Email | hattiemcsherry@gmail.com
Website | https://restorative-iq.org/
This course is being hosted by an RJC member organisation. It is not delivered by, or on behalf of, the RJC. The RJC has not assessed and is not responsible for the quality of the course content