From Post to Pillar
The integration of a Restorative Philosophy into the Child and Youth Worker Program and curriculum has evolved over a 14 year period of time. First introduced as element of a course on Legislation and Social Issues as it pertains to children, youth, families and systems it was given increasing focus in a third year course on Community Interventions.
As this was evolving one faculty member was trained as Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator and Trainer (IIRP). This created opportunities to offer students and agency partners training in the skills based approach to the scripted model of Restorative Conferencing. Working in conjunction with Ontario Multi-Faith Counsel this faculty provided trainings for a variety of school boards and agencies in Ontario which included:
Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB
York Catholic DSB
Toronto Catholic DSB
Toronto DSB
The Aboriginal Centre/DSB
York Region DSB
Etobicoke Children's Centre.
These training opportunities have supported more extended and creative opportunities for students and grads undertaking specific Restorative projects in their placements, work and over and above their education.
This robust involvement has supported the integration of the Restorative Philosophy as one of 4 pillars of the curriculum. Standing alongside the pillars of Resiliency, Ecological Perspective and Human Rights and Diversity (Anti-Oppression), it now weaves itself throughout all of the core courses offered in the program. While taught as a stand alone model and philosophy it is also woven into the fabric of the various courses where behavioral and critical incidents are addressed. Additionally it forms the basis for the faculty teams orientation to critical issues involving students, between students and in their agency field placements.
The Restorative Philosophy shares a common universe of values and practices that characterize Child and Youth Work practice. Both are relationally focused, work with others, engage others where they are at, have high expectations, unconditionally accepts the person, strives for solutions and works to achieve the repair of harm, the restoration of relationships and the transformation of individuals.
As this was evolving one faculty member was trained as Restorative Justice Conference Facilitator and Trainer (IIRP). This created opportunities to offer students and agency partners training in the skills based approach to the scripted model of Restorative Conferencing. Working in conjunction with Ontario Multi-Faith Counsel this faculty provided trainings for a variety of school boards and agencies in Ontario which included:
Kawartha Pine Ridge DSB
York Catholic DSB
Toronto Catholic DSB
Toronto DSB
The Aboriginal Centre/DSB
York Region DSB
Etobicoke Children's Centre.
These training opportunities have supported more extended and creative opportunities for students and grads undertaking specific Restorative projects in their placements, work and over and above their education.
This robust involvement has supported the integration of the Restorative Philosophy as one of 4 pillars of the curriculum. Standing alongside the pillars of Resiliency, Ecological Perspective and Human Rights and Diversity (Anti-Oppression), it now weaves itself throughout all of the core courses offered in the program. While taught as a stand alone model and philosophy it is also woven into the fabric of the various courses where behavioral and critical incidents are addressed. Additionally it forms the basis for the faculty teams orientation to critical issues involving students, between students and in their agency field placements.
The Restorative Philosophy shares a common universe of values and practices that characterize Child and Youth Work practice. Both are relationally focused, work with others, engage others where they are at, have high expectations, unconditionally accepts the person, strives for solutions and works to achieve the repair of harm, the restoration of relationships and the transformation of individuals.