How we work with families – Relational and Restorative Practice

We believe that families are our most important resource. Children live in families, families create communities and communities create cities, so by investing in strong and stable families we can create the conditions for a more successful city.

To help us work better with families we are embedding a Relational and Restorative Practice approach in the city.  Supported by investment of £3.1m from the Department for Education’s ‘Strengthening Families, Protecting Children’ Programme we are partnered with Leeds City Council to introduce and embed the approach across our services, partnerships and other organisations in the city.

What is Relational and Restorative Practice?

Restorative practice is a term used to describe behaviours, interactions and approaches which help to build and maintain positive, healthy relationships, resolve difficulties and repair harm where there has been conflict.

When we work with and alongside people, instead of doing ‘to’ or ‘for’ them, there is strong evidence to say that the experiences of children and their families are improved.

In Newcastle when families are experiencing difficulties and a child needs help, we want the support that is put in place to work with the family to help them find solutions that last, and keep children safe, happy and healthy.  We want to build strong relationships with families so they feel heard and understood and can get help when they need it. If we need to work with families for a longer period of time to keep a child safe, we try to find a solution that is centred around the family, often involving the wider family and friends network. An example of this way of working is our Family Group Conferencing Service .

If you are a practitioner working with families in Newcastle and would like training on Relational and Restorative Practice please go to Restorative Practice Awareness Session - Newcastle Safeguarding