This engaging and interactive programme provides you with the information and skills to help people develop and build healthy relationships in workplaces, communities, places of education, healthcare and to respond to harm and hurt when it happens. It is based on restorative principles of inclusion, fairness, respect, social justice and self-determination. It is designed to enable the proactive building of constructive relationships. Participants learn about the theory of restorative justice and practice using skills and processes transferrable across many contexts. Participants will explore how restorative approaches will enhance the mediator’s toolkit and add to client’s possible options in moving past hurt, trauma and conflict. The programme is approved by the Mediators Institute of Ireland (MII)

Participants will:

 Gain an overview of the international and national context for Restorative practice

 Learn about restorative principles, philosophy, concepts and practices

 Explore the differences and similarities between mediation and restorative practices

 Assess, prepare and facilitate Restorative Events

 Use circle processes for different situations and contexts

 Engage with complex and sensitive cases in Restorative Practice including faith based contexts and institutional settings

 Discuss the potential, the limitations and the risks of Restorative Practice

 Examine the role of human emotion in social relationships especially shame, anger, vulnerability and trauma

 Explore the role of revenge, apology and forgiveness in restorative practices

Dates: Mondays 7th, 21st, 28th September, Monday 5th October,  2026

Cost: €700.00

Barbara Walshe, Catherine O’Connell and guests presenting on specialised topics