Restorative Approaches in Education: Part 2

In this episode, Clare talks to Murray Hodge-Neill, Assistant Director of the PBL team at the ACT Education Directorate, Australia, about restorative approaches in education.

In Part 2 of a two-part series, they discuss reasons for resistance to change amongst staff, and how we can successfully shift mindsets in our schools, especially around behaviourist approaches and the notion of consequences.

Murray is a teaching professional in Canberra, Australia. He is an accredited Team Teach trainer and currently manages Team Teach training for all 93 schools in the ACT Education Directorate, including supporting approximately 150 Foundation trainers.

Murray has expertise in restorative processes in schools and is a trained Restorative Conference Facilitator. Murray leads the Restorative School Communities initiative in ACT schools, providing professional learning and implementation support directly to schools.

He shares three top tips for practitioners:

• A restorative disposition is more important that specific practices.
• Don’t attempt restorative facilitation beyond your training, skills, and experience, and seek professional guidance when required.
• Start with having a restorative mindset in both your personal and professional relationships.

Murray also recommends some books for further reading:

Brummer, J. & Thorsborne, M. (2024) Becoming a Trauma-Informed Restorative Educator: Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behavior. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Evans, K., & Vaandering, D. (2022) The Little Book of Restorative Justice in Education: Fostering Responsibility, Healing, and Hope in Schools. New York: Good Books.

Kelly, V. C., & Thorsborne, M. (Eds.) (2014) The Psychology of Emotion in Restorative Practice: How Affect Script Psychology Explains How and Why Restorative Practice Works. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Moore, D. B., & Vernon, A. (2024) Setting Relations Right in Restorative Practice: Broadening Mindsets and Skill Sets. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

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.