Chamber and committees

Information about activity undertaken to support and develop restorative justice (RJ) services can be found in quarterly and annual reports published by Community Justice Scotland.

Examples of the outcomes and actions achieved to date include:

Outcome 1 - Restorative Justice is available across Scotland

• Baseline survey carried out in 2018 to establish current provision of services
• Hub and Spoke model developed (2020)
• Training and model tested for delivery of RJ in sensitive cases (2021-2023)
• Options Appraisal produced by Community Justice Scotland (CJS) (learning from testing of Hub and Spoke model) (2024)
• RJ test cases identified, funded and, where feasible, taken forward, with report on findings due to be published soon (ongoing)
• Engagement activity undertaken with individual local authorities, victim support organisations and other services such as Scottish Prison Service (2024-25)
• Children and Young People’s Centre for Justice survey carried out and shared with stakeholders - Capturing the Organisation and Delivery of Restorative Justice across Scotland, designed toidentify strengths and gaps in RJ service provision for under 18s and identify test cases (2025)
• Policy and Practice Framework developed with partners and stakeholders to build on existing published guidance and provide more detailed information for facilitators (Ongoing – due to be published 2025)
• RJ Stakeholder Group established (2020); membership and remit refreshed (2024); last met in June 2025.
• RJ development forum established in 2025 bringing local leaders together to learn from others and develop RJ in their own area

Outcome 2 - High quality restorative justice services are delivered by trained facilitators

• National RJ Training Needs Analysis commissioned and completed (2022)
• Research into risk mitigation measures commissioned and completed (2022)
• Training material developed and tested for facilitating sensitive cases (2023)
• Training module produced by CJS (2024)

Outcome 3 – There is strong public awareness and understanding of Restorative Justice in Scotland

• Ipsos Mori telephone survey carried out (2020)
• RJ animation developed and produced (2020)
• Free to use Flickr photo album created showing RJ practices (updated 2024)
• Communications brief developed and agreed with RJ Stakeholder Group (2021)
• Work in schools including:
• “The views of school pupils on the use of Restorative Justice in Scotland” (2022) where school children were asked about their awareness, understanding, and attitudes toward restorative justice
• “Key Messages from Children and Young People about Restorative Justice,” (2023) groups from Drumchapel High School and youth groups contributed their views on how RJ should be carried out.
• Mapping of existing practices with under-18s across Scotland (2025) to identify strengths and gaps
• Two workshops at George Watson’s College in Edinburgh (2023 and due 2025) delivered as part of a Crime and Justice Conference for Advanced Higher Modern Studies students from schools across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
• Funding provided to SACRO for development of RJ Forum website (2021)
• Restorative Voices – Seen and Heard exhibition developed and delivered as part of Scottish Mental Health Festival (2024)
• RJ Stakeholder Group chaired by Scottish Government meets three times a year