Implementing restorative justice in children's residential care: (Researching Criminal Justice)

Restorative justice (RJ) and restorative approaches (RAs) are becoming increasingly valued as a way of responding to a wide range of conflicts, including problem and offending behaviours. The growth in the use of RJ and RAs has been described as a 'global social movement' that sets out to repair harm, reduce conflict and harmonise civil society. This report takes a close look at the implementation of an RJ approach in the challenging environment of children's residential care homes. It will appeal to people who are interested in the use of RJ, particularly its use with children and young people, as well as those interested in problem and offending behaviours in relation to children in care.

Table of Contents:
Restorative justice: promises and pathways; Children in care: the policy context; Background to the research; Problem and offending behaviour in residential care; Using restorative justice: manager and care staff views; Children and young people's views; What happens during a period of residential care?; From Wagga Wagga to the children's home.

About the Author :
Carol Hayden is Professor in Applied Social Research at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies within the University of Portsmouth. She has published widely about her research in the field of vulnerable children and young people for a variety of audiences in social care, education, policy and criminology. Dennis Gough is Senior Lecturer in Penology at the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth. He teaches and researches in the broad fields of punishment, prisons and their respective alternatives. His PhD research is concerned with the governance of corrections.

Review :
"The over-representation of young people from residential care backgrounds in the criminal justice system is an issue of growing concern and understanding what justice means for children in residential care is very important. This book is a timely and intelligent contribution to this complex policy and practice problem." Will McMahon, Chair, Care Leavers' Association and Policy Director, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Kings College, London. "Carol Hayden is one of the leading figures in the area of youth exclusion and restorative justice. She writes clearly and knowledgeably about the ways in which those working in the residential sector can make a real difference to children's lives through restorative justice. It will become a key text in the field." Dr Hilary Cremin, Faculty of Education, University of Cambridge