Restorative Practice in the Workplace: Building Collaboration and Resilience at Catch22
This is a blog by Why me? Trustee, Emma Jones. Emma is Assistant Director at Catch 22.
In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving work environment, organisations are increasingly recognising the value of restorative practice as a tool for fostering collaboration, resilience, and positive change. At Catch22, restorative circles have become a cornerstone of our approach to team engagement; especially when navigating difficult topics such as changes in performance targets or organisational priorities.
What is Restorative Practice?
Restorative practice is rooted in the belief that open, honest dialogue and collective problem-solving can transform workplace culture. Rather than focusing solely on outcomes or directives from the top, restorative practice invites every team member to participate in shaping how change is implemented. This approach not only builds trust but also ensures that everyone’s voice is heard and valued.
How Restorative Circles Work at Catch22
At Catch22, restorative circles are used to address challenging subjects in a way that is inclusive and solution-focused. The process is carefully structured to maximise participation and generate actionable outcomes:
- Facilitator-Led Discussion: A trained facilitator introduces the topic, which is often a difficult or sensitive issue, such as a shift in performance expectations. The facilitator’s role is to create a safe, neutral space where all team members feel comfortable sharing their perspectives.
- Individual Reflection: Each team member is given two minutes to speak about the impact of the issue raised on themselves and their role. This is a crucial step: participants are encouraged to focus on their own experiences, rather than speculating about how others might be affected. This self-reflection helps bring to the surface a range of insights and emotions, and ensures that the discussion is grounded in an individual’s personal reality.
- Thematic Analysis: After everyone has spoken, the facilitator takes a short interval to review the feedback and identify common themes. This step transforms a collection of individual viewpoints into a set of shared challenges and opportunities.
- Collaborative Solution-Finding: Team members are then grouped and assigned a theme to work on. Each group is tasked with developing practical solutions or approaches to address their assigned topic. This collaborative element ensures that the path forward is shaped by those who will be most affected by whatever change is agreed upon.
- Circle Formation: Throughout the session, the team sits in a circle, with no physical barriers between participants. This arrangement symbolises equality and openness, reinforcing the idea that everyone’s contribution is valued.
Why Restorative Practice Matters
The power of restorative circles lies in their ability to turn potentially divisive or stressful situations into opportunities for growth and unity. While the ultimate outcome – such as a new performance target – may remain unchanged, the way in which the team arrives at that outcome is fundamentally different. Staff are not simply told what will happen; they are actively involved in determining how it will happen.
This approach has several key benefits:
- Enhanced Engagement: Staff feel genuinely listened to and involved in decision-making.
- Greater Buy-In: Solutions are more likely to be embraced when they are co-created by the team.
- Improved Resilience: Open dialogue helps individuals process change and adapt more effectively.
- Continuous Improvement: The process encourages ongoing feedback and learning, strengthening the team’s ability to navigate future challenges.
Conclusion
At its core, restorative practice is a mindset that values empathy, collaboration, and shared ownership of outcomes. At Catch22, restorative circles have proven to be a powerful way to build stronger teams, foster innovation, and ensure that even the most difficult conversations lead to positive, lasting change. Sometimes, the best way to understand restorative practice is to try it, starting with a simple circle, and see where the conversation takes you.
