New Wexford Restorative Practices Partnership launched

WEXFORD Restorative Practices Partnership, a new multi-agency body established recently with the objective of developing restorative practices in County Wexford, was officially launched at a conference in Enniscorthy.

The conference at the Riverside Park Hotel, attended by professionals from the areas of education, youth services, criminal justice and community development gathered to hear a panel of experts speaking on the benefits of incorporating restorative practices into their services and work.

At a national policy level, and in core legislation, restorative approaches are a central strand in minimising and managing conflict.

Increasingly, there is Irish and international evidence that this approach can be effective in a wide range of settings and interventions, from prevention and early intervention to victim offender mediation and more serious offences.

Membership of WRPP currently includes: TUSLA Child and Family Agency, County Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee, HSE Suicide Prevention Office, Probation Service, Waterford Wexford Education Training Board, Wexford Education Centre, Wexford Local Development, Slaney Youth Diversion Project, Ferns Diocesan Youth Service, Youth New Ross, SAFE Youth Diversion Project and the Cornmarket Project.

Chairman of the new body Paul Delaney, from the Cornmarket Project, which is leading the initative in Wexford, said it grew out of an action calling for the development of restorative practices in County Wexford as part of the overall county plan developed by the County Wexford Children and Young People’s Services Committee.

He said that restorative practice (RP)is a way of working with people based on the philosophy that when people are given ownership and responsibility for their actions, there is a greater likelihood of positive, long-term interaction with other people, the development of empathy with others, and the establishment of healthy and productive communities.

‘We are very fortunate in that we already have a number of accredited restorative practice facilitators and trainers who are part of WRPP and it is our intention to offer training in Wexford next year to those who can benefit from incorporating this approach into their work, he said.

OPPOSITE PAGE: One of four workshops delivered as part of the Wexford Restorative Practices Partnership conference. From left: Garda Inspector Andy Tuite, National Garda Crime Diversion Office, Tommy Somers, Restorative Practices facilitator, Tina Suter, Cornmarket Project, Michele Weir, Senior Probation Officer, and Iseult Nichoitir, Waterford Restorative Practices Network.