Northern Ireland Alternatives Awarded RJC Registered Restorative Organisation Status
The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is pleased to announce that Northern Ireland Alternatives has been awarded Registered Restorative Organisation Status, recognising the organisation’s long‑standing commitment to delivering safe, ethical and high‑quality restorative practice across Northern Ireland and beyond.
The award reflects the work Northern Ireland Alternatives has delivered for more than 28 years across communities, schools and partner organisations. As part of the registration process, the organisation demonstrated how restorative principles underpins its practice and governance, strengthening relationships and supporting meaningful dialogue, accountability and positive change.
Northern Ireland Alternatives is a community organisation delivering restorative justice and restorative practice through a peacebuilding and conflict transformation lens to help communities respond to crime, anti‑social behaviour, community conflict and tensions with branches in North Belfast, Greater Shankill, East Belfast, South Belfast, North Down (Bangor), Magherafelt and Portadown.
Northern Ireland Alternatives described being awarded Registered Status as a great feeling and a further validation of the work it has been doing. The organisation said the award strengthens its credibility, reflects the professionalism of its staff team, and complements the wider accreditation landscape in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland Alternatives said the registration journey has supported ongoing policy development, helping to ensure that restorative principles embedded in day‑to‑day practice are reflected consistently in governance and evolving policies. The organisation described the professional discussion as constructive and appropriately rigorous and noted that collating portfolio evidence provided a valuable opportunity to review how standards and practice align. It also highlighted the importance of being aligned with the National Occupational Standards (NOS) and recognised the value of the well‑established RJC Standard.
Glenn Millar, Training Manager at Northern Ireland Alternatives, said:
“We are delighted to have achieved Registered Organisation status with the Restorative Justice Council. This recognition reflects Northern Ireland Alternatives’ long-standing commitment to delivering safe, ethical and high-quality restorative practice across communities, schools and partner organisations. It acknowledges not only the professionalism and experience of our staff team, but also our belief that restorative approaches can create meaningful opportunities for accountability, dialogue, healing and positive change. We look forward to continuing to develop restorative practice across Northern Ireland in line with the highest standards of practice and governance.”
Jim Simon, Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council, added:
“Achieving Registered Restorative Organisation Status is a significant milestone. It demonstrates that Northern Ireland Alternatives’ restorative practice is not only well‑intentioned, but embedded, reflective and aligned with the standards we expect of high‑quality restorative work. This status recognises the organisation’s long-standing commitment to safe, ethical practice and its investment in strong governance and continuous improvement, helping to create respectful, inclusive environments where relationships and accountability are at the heart of positive change.”
In encouraging other organisations to consider registration, Northern Ireland Alternatives emphasised that it is a worthwhile process that helps align standards and practice. The organisation highlighted the thoroughness of the professional discussion and described the collation of portfolio evidence as a useful evaluation process for any organisation with a restorative ethos.
The RJC congratulates Northern Ireland Alternatives on achieving Registered Restorative Organisation Status and welcomes the organisation as part of the growing network of organisations committed to high‑quality, principled restorative practice.
Ready to Join Them?
Becoming an RJC Registered Organisation is more than a process – it’s a statement of your organisation’s commitment to quality and restorative values. If you want to stand out as a trusted leader in restorative practice, now is the time to take that step.
Visit https://restorativejustice.org.uk/practice-registration to learn more and start your journey towards achieving the gold standard in restorative practice and governance.