Restorative practice ‘can help with crisis’

Greater use of ‘restorative practice’ in disadvantaged families, communities and in schools would help to prevent homelessness, veteran social campaigner Fr Peter McVerry has said.

Restorative practice is a form of dispute resolution so that conflict and tensions can be dealt with in a healthy fashion.

When disputes spill over into the criminal justice system, restorative practice involves bringing those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into contact in a bid to repair the damage.