CPD log example

Example of learning from a Continuing Professional Development training course

Date                      10 July 2022

Activity

I attended a one day training course on ‘How to make restorative practice more inclusive’ which was delivered by a Facilitator.

Learning

This course emphasised that many people are excluded from taking part in a restorative process because of their individual needs. It explored what we see as facilitators as the ‘perfect victim’ and ‘perfect offender’. I learnt that I need to look at how I can tailor my practice to include potential participants who do not fit into these categories. I also learnt new strategies for overcoming specific learning difficulties and language and communication barriers. These techniques can be used in preparing participants for a restorative process and in face-to-face meetings.

How the learning has made a difference to my practice

The training has made me think about how I can make restorative approaches available to a wider audience by either making appropriate adjustments or by being creative to meet individual needs. I am now more able to adapt my approach. During August 2014 I was working with a young person with a communication difficulty. My colleagues felt that she would not be able to engage in a restorative process and if she did this might have a negative impact on the victim. Following my training, I felt confident to challenge this and assessed that a process could go ahead with robust planning and preparation. I took the time to understand the needs of the young person. This lead me to adapt my practice – rather than relying on spoken language, in the preparation phase the young person told me what happened through her drawings. This did mean that the restorative process took longer than usual but my approach meant that both the young person and the victim could take part in a restorative process when otherwise this would not have happened.