To ask the Minister of Education for an update on the use of restorative practice in schools, as set out in the A Fair Start report.

The Education Authority (EA) uses Restorative Practice officers to support schools to access whole school training, enabling them to introduce restorative practice and create a cohesive and supportive school environment for all. More than 600 young people over the last two academic years have engaged with “restorative circles” to address wider classroom relationships.

In the current academic year, more than 150 young people have completed a restorative practice peer mentoring program and the EA is currently seeking to have this program accredited with the Open College Network Northern Ireland. EA has been awarded Registered Training Provider status with the Restorative Justice Council (RJC).