Restorative Conversations

In this episode, Clare talks to Richard Fisher, Principal Team Teach trainer, about using restorative conversations to inform individual support plan reviews.

They discuss what is meant by a ‘restorative conversation’, as a way to help children and young people understand the impact they can have on other people. They also talk about the need for flexibility and post-incident support – for students and staff – and the importance of collaborative reflection and future planning, tailored to individual students’ needs.

Richard has 28 years’ experience in education across the UK and Australia, holding various leadership roles such as Head of Year, Head of Department, and Principal of special schools. His work has spanned mainstream high schools and specialist settings, including those for students with emotional and behavioural needs.

He is deeply committed to supporting students with additional needs and creating safe, nurturing environments for both learners and staff. He has consistently focused on staff development, particularly around effective behaviour support, to enhance outcomes for students.

Richard shares three tips during the episode:

• • Have a clear, comprehensive, and culture-driven post-incident process in place that is understood and implemented consistently.

• • Build your staff’s knowledge, skills, and understanding around functions of behaviour, so they feel confident to support all children and young people.

• • Invest time in developing students’ self-esteem so they feel confident and capable to make different choices in the future.

The Team Teach podcast shares the latest thinking in behaviour, all in handy 15-minute (ish) bite-sized chunks. Each episode features a new guest chatting about a different aspect of behaviour and leaves you with three handy tips to use in your setting.

Find out how Team Teach can help your organisation.

The Team Teach podcast is created in the UK, adhering to UK law and guidance. Practitioners should exercise their professional judgment to determine the appropriateness of any Team Teach material for their specific sector and geographic region and be aware of the applicable laws and guidelines governing their organisation.