Volunteer Restorative Practitioner

node leader

10 May 2023

We are looking for volunteers, in our 2023 recruitment, to join our dynamic and passionate team to help people have safe communication through a restorative justice or restorative mediation process. You will contribute greatly to the incredible and transformative benefits experienced by those who take part in the restorative process.
Our team manage and deliver a broad case load including Criminal Justice, Restorative Justice work (out of court disposals and post-sentence), and undertake a variety of community based Restorative Mediation work where conflict or harm has occurred (restorative circles, neighbour disputes, family work)

We are recruiting for Volunteer Restorative Practitioners to join our established Restorative Justice Service; adhering to principles of restorative practice, enabling safe and high quality restorative justice and mediation facilitation. Full training provided.

• You will have an opportunity to work directly with those that have been harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm caused as well as neighbours, communities or family members who are in disagreement.
• Coordinating and facilitating restorative processes between participants.
• Working alongside a co-facilitator and case supervisor, assessing the suitability, safety and completing risk assessments, in compliance with our policies and procedures.
• Communicating with and visiting participants at their home, at community venues, or prison, and working in close partnership with other agencies.
• Preparing participants to engage in indirect and direct communication; face to face meetings (a conference), ‘shuttle’ passing information between participants, conferencing via audio or video recordings and written communication, restorative conversations, and restorative circles, as well as sign-posting participants to other support services where necessary.
• Practitioners are expected to take a minimum of 4 cases per year, flexible hours, after initial training you will be mentored by an experienced practitioner to develop your skills/practice.
• In addition to case work, practitioners will be expected to attend a certain number of training and supervision sessions and team meetings, this may include both practical training and e-learning as part of your induction and on-going development and these sessions will include the occasional evening and weekend.
• Flexible hours and location.
• We offer a friendly and professional environment offering supervision, support and a commitment to your safety & wellbeing.
• On successful appointment, you will need to be available to attend the 4 day restorative practice training (Monday 3rd July-Thursday 6th July), as well as assessment and induction with the volunteer manager with ongoing one to one support.
• Commitment to volunteering with us over a 2 year period as a practitioner.
• Practitioners are subject to police vetting - previous convictions do not necessarily exclude people from volunteering will be assessed on an individual basis.

What do you need to have?
You will need the following skills:
• The ability to recognise emotions in others and to understand other people’s perspectives on a situation.
• Be approachable with a non-judgemental compassionate manner with the ability to maintain firm boundaries, respect views, values and cultures that are different to your own.
• The ability to self-reflect and respect feedback from others.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to deal with people in a sensitive manner.
• Good verbal and non-verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Good organisational skills.
• Be willing to learn about and follow Restorative Gloucestershire aims, principles polices, guidance and procedures including confidentiality and data protection.
• The ability to read and write to a good standard of English. This is due to the role requiring volunteers to read emails, complete forms and update case records.
• Have own use of the internet, an email address and computer or device as you will need to access the local Case Management System including authenticator app remotely and be able to update records. A basic knowledge of IT skills is needed and training will be given on local Case Management System.
• A full driving licence, use of a car is desirable due to the amount of travelling involved and pool cars are available for travel.
• All expenses reimbursed.
• Practitioners age requirement 18+