restorative thinking
E-Learning
Self-guided Learning
Blended learning options to foster restorative and relational practice.

Restorative domestic abuse perpetrator programme (external evaluation)

Restorative Thinking delivered our Restorative Domestic Abuse Perpetrator Programme in Cumbria from April 2015 – October 2017, as part of the Cumbria PCC’s domestic abuse project, ‘Turning the Spotlight’.

The Brathay Trust ran an evaluation of ‘Turning the Spotlight’ in Cumbria, April 2015 – 17, including a rigorous examination of the impact of Restorative Thinking’s ‘Relationships without Conflict’ (RwC) and a second intervention programme delivered as part of this project, ‘Parenting without Conflict’ (PwC). The full report is now available to download here. Both programmes are also delivered in prison and probation settings.

Key findings of the report:

  • ‘Relationships without Conflict’ gave perpetrators the skills to respond and not react. (p.3)
  • Feedback from Probation (CRC), Children’s Services, Youth Offending, staff from HMP Haverigg and Focus Families indicates good outcomes for clients on the Restorative Thinking programmes. (p.11)
  • 88% of those surveyed who attended Restorative Thinking’s ‘Relationships without Conflict’ and/or ‘Parenting without Conflict’ course reported changed behaviour. (p.13)
  • 78% of those who attended Restorative Thinking’s ‘Relationships without Conflict’ &/or ‘Parenting without Conflict’ programme reported improved life chances. (p.14)
  • Emergent findings indicate that n=2 children whose parents attended Restorative Thinking’s RWC & PWC programme/s are able to express their feelings within the home environment. Parents attribute this to improved empathic course facilitators who delivered material which supported them to develop better communication and parenting skills. (p.15)
  • Encouragingly, participants reported that the ‘Relationships without Conflict’ programme helped them to start changing their behaviour. (p.23)
  • …feedback from prison staff stated that for one participant the ‘Relationships without Conflict’ programme had helped him to become calmer and talk more appropriately to staff members and other prisoners. (p.24)
  • Feedback indicates that ‘Relationships without Conflict’ programme delivered by Restorative Thinking not only gave participants the tools to cope with everyday life it crucially provided a supportive space where people felt valued and safe. This is an example of ‘what works’ and should be replicated in future programmes. (p.25)

 

Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about Restorative Thinking’s restorative domestic abuse perpetrator programme (Relationships without Conflict) and our restorative parenting programme (Parenting without Conflict).