RJC Annual Conference 2026

UNIQUE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER: RJC20261618

The Restorative Justice Council Annual Conference 2026 brings together practitioners, policymakers, researchers, community organisations and people with lived experience for two days of discussion, challenge and shared learning.

Across justice, education, health, workplaces and communities, trust in institutions is under pressure. Harm is becoming more complex, accountability is increasingly contested, and restorative justice is being asked to respond in new and demanding ways.

This year's conference will explore how restorative approaches can help address these challenges while strengthening the standards, support and leadership needed for the field to thrive.

Whether you work directly with participants, influence policy, lead services, undertake research or champion restorative approaches within your organisation, this conference offers an opportunity to engage with some of the most important questions facing the sector today.

WHAT WILL WE EXPLORE?

System Failure and Accountability

What role can restorative justice play when organisations, institutions and systems themselves cause harm?

Sessions will explore:

• Public accountability
• State and corporate harm
• Structural injustice
• Redress and repair
• Trust, legitimacy and public confidence
• Trauma and relational repair

Power, Repair and System Change

How can restorative justice move beyond responding to harm and help change the conditions that create it?

Sessions will explore:

• Education and restorative futures
• Youth participation and leadership
• Equity and inclusion
• Collaboration and partnership
• Policy influence
• System transformation

Standards, Quality and Professional Credibility

What support, standards and infrastructure are needed for restorative practice to grow with confidence and integrity?

Sessions will explore:

• Professional standards
• Workforce development
• Governance and accountability
• Quality assurance
• Evidence and impact
• Accreditation and assurance
• Ethical practice in complex environments

WHY ATTEND?

This conference is not about simply reflecting on the challenges facing restorative justice.

It is about identifying what comes next.

Join colleagues from across the sector to:

• Learn from leading practitioners, researchers and policymakers.
• Explore how restorative approaches are being used in increasingly complex environments.
• Share ideas, evidence and emerging practice.
• Discuss the future of standards, quality and professional leadership.
• Build connections across the restorative justice community.
• Help shape the future direction of the field.

Together, we will explore how restorative justice can respond to fractured systems while remaining rooted in accountability, participation, repair and human connection.

The challenges facing restorative justice are evolving. So too must our collective response.

Join us in Manchester and online for two days of learning, debate, collaboration and leadership as we explore the future of restorative justice in a time of fractured systems.

Book your place today.

PROGRAMME AT A GLANCE

Monday 16 November 2026 | Manchester

Leadership, Accountability and System Change

A day of keynote presentations, strategic debates, panel discussions and facilitated conversations exploring:

• System failure and accountability
• Institutional and organisational harm
• Public trust, legitimacy and repair
• Power, participation and system change
• The future of standards, quality and professional credibility

The day will include opportunities for networking, collaborative discussion and sector-wide reflection on the future of restorative justice.

Wednesday 18 November 2026 | Online via Microsoft Teams

Learning, Practice and Innovation

A day of interactive workshops, case studies, research presentations and panel discussions aligned to the conference's three core pillars:

• System Failure and Accountability
• Power, Repair and System Change
• Standards, Quality and Professional Credibility

Delegates will have the opportunity to hear from practitioners, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and people with lived experience from across the restorative justice field.

A detailed programme and speaker line-up will be announced as sessions are confirmed.

CONFERENCE FORMAT

The conference will be delivered across two days using a blended format:

📍 Monday 16 November 2026 – In person in Manchester

💻 Wednesday 18 November 2026 – Online via Microsoft Teams

This format combines the benefits of face-to-face networking and discussion with the accessibility of online participation.

EVENT FEES

As part of our commitment to supporting the restorative justice community, the RJC has chosen to subsidise conference fees for members this year, helping to make attendance more affordable and increasing access to professional development, networking and shared learning opportunities.

This investment reflects the value we place on our membership community and our commitment to bringing practitioners, services, researchers and policymakers together to shape the future of restorative justice.

To access the subsidised member rate, delegates must be logged in to their RJC online account before registering for the event. The discounted fee will only be available once your membership status has been verified through your account login.

If you are a member and experience any difficulties accessing your online account, please contact us before completing your registration.

*Includes 1 yr free membership

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following Terms and Conditions apply to this event:

• Payment of the registration fee must be made prior to the event commencing. Where payment has not been received, the RJC reserves the right to cancel your registration
• Conference passes cannot be split between delegates
• Access to conference recordings (online day only) will be provided for a period of 3 months
• Access to recordings will be granted to the email address used to register for this event

The RJC reserves the right to amend the content of the provisional programme for this event

All changes made to the programme will be communicated to registered delegates prior to the event start date

REFUND POLICY

In the event that you need to cancel your event registration you can either:

1) Transfer your registration to another person (up to 14 days before the event)

In the event that a higher fee becomes payable, the RJC will invoice this amount to the new delegate

2) Request a refund

The RJC will process this request in line with our refund schedule outlined below: 

Refunds will only be made to the account from which the payment was received

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact Name | Aisa Shearing

Email | Aisa.Shearing@restorativejustice.org.uk

This is an approved Connect CPD event. You can confirm the status of this event HERE.