All new accredited UK qualifications in Restorative Approaches and Practice

Published by Jon Kennett for Safety Net Associates Limited in Education and also in Bill Payments, Central Government, Communities, Environment, Health, Housing, Local Government

We are pleased to announce that the first range of accredited UK qualifications to be included in the ground breaking Community Restorative Justice Academy are now available for enrolment.

This is the first ever "end to end" UK qualification programme available throughout the British Isles, based on the National Occupational Standards, with an emphasis on teaching, enabling and qualifying people in the field of restorative approaches and practice.

At a glance the qualifications, which will be delivered from the Winter Term 2011 (from January 2011) at 24 Universities across the British Isles, are:

BTEC Level 3 - Advanced Award in Practitioner training for Restorative Approaches

As well as providing a clear background understanding of restorative justice approaches and practice this taught course will enable and qualify a person, from any background, to facilitate a restorative conference or meeting.

BTEC Level 4 - BTEC Level 4 Professional Award in Restorative Justice Approaches

This strategic course is designed to ensure that senior practitioners, managers or senior case workers are effectively qualified to understand approaches to delivering restorative justice. This qualification will also equip non case working managers to manage investigative and restorative justice teams.

Pg Cert (Post Graduate Certificate) in Restorative Practice

Offered by online learning, supported by staff from the Centre for Rural Childhood, the Certificate blends the theoretical background of restorative practice and justice with its practical implementation in a variety of contemporary settings. 

The Community Restorative Justice Academy is a partnership between:

- The Centre for Rural Childhood, Perth College UHI Millennium Institute. 

- Restorative Solutions, Community Interest Company

- Safety Net Associates - National BTEC Centre.

Speaking at the launch of the academy Sir Charles Pollard QPM - Chairman Restorative Solutions, said:

 "The Community Restorative Justice Academy allows us to combine our successful practitioner training modules with relevant and bespoke academic qualifications and allows the partners to collectively meet the ever increasing demand from Restorative Justice Practitioners for formal qualifications and opportunities for the continuous professional development of their skills."

Bob Kennett - Chairman of Safety Net Associates said:

"Through the delivery of our National Neighbourhood Justice BTEC Programme, where we qualify strategic managers and practitioners to understand and implement skills in a Community Safety Partnership setting, it became evident in the field of community restorative justice and practice that a comprehensive formal education programme, to complement existing training was needed for individuals to be able plan a career path through this field.

Our qualified student body told us that they and their organisations needed an ‘end to end’ training and qualification path that evidenced formal and practical learning across all Community Safety Partnership arenas so they could get on with the job of community restorative practice and approaches to enrich communities.

I believe the Community Restorative Justice Academy have brought together the leaders in the field throughout the UK who will finally meet the needs of individuals in all Community Safety Partnerships and third sector partners in delivering high quality Community Restorative Justice and Practice qualifications and training.”

Professor Rebecca Wallace - Director Centre for Rural Childhood said:

"The Centre for Rural Childhood, Perth College UHI Millennium Institute (The CRC) will bring to the Community Restorative Justice Academy a suite of qualifications at Post Graduate level. In the immediate this will be a Post Graduate Certificate in Restorative Practice. However it is anticipated that this is the first step in incremental development of a Diploma and Masters qualification in Restorative Practice."

To find out more about these qualifications or to enrol for the next term please visit www.cspacademy.ac.uk/Community-Restorative-Justice-Academy-Home.shtml email restorativejustice@cspacademy.ac.uk or call 0845 269 1417.