Merseyside’s restorative justice provider receives national accreditation
27.05.21 - Merseyside
Merseyside's Police Commissioner has today congratulated her restorative justice provider after they were awarded Registered Service Provider status.
Restorative Solutions have delivered restorative justice, which brings victims of crime together with those responsible for the harm to find a positive way forward, in Merseyside for the last three years as part of the Victim Care Merseyside service.
Now the service has received national accreditation which recognises the high quality of its service. As part of their registration, Merseyside’s two practitioners, Jeannette Wrigley and Kevin Reevey, were assessed against the Restorative Justice Council’s Registered Practitioner Framework and both were awarded Advanced Registered Practitioner status.
By achieving this status, Merseyside’s Restorative Justice Service and their Registered Practitioners have demonstrated their commitment to delivering high quality restorative practice to nationally agreed standards.
Merseyside’s Police Commissioner Emily Spurrell said: “Restorative Justice can be a really important process giving victims a chance to get answers following a crime and helping them to find a way to move on with their lives.
“Restorative Solutions have been offering safe, high-quality advice and support to victims of crime who are considering using restorative justice for the last three years as part of the Victim Care Merseyside service.
“This accreditation recognises the excellent standard they offer to victims here in Merseyside and is a visible charter mark that will give reassurance to those who are considering using restorative justice that the service they will receive is second to none.
“My congratulations to Jeannette and Kevin on achieving this status. I look forward to working with them in the future to ensure even more victims of crime have access to what can be a crucial step in their recovery.”
Jeannette Wrigley, Merseyside Restorative Justice Service’s Delivery Manager, said: “Achieving Registered status with the RJC has confirmed that we are providing a high standard of service to the public of Merseyside. In my heart I knew we offered a quality service, but independent evaluation through the registration process has validated this.”
Jim Simon, the RJC’s chief executive said: “The Merseyside Restorative Justice Service and their Registered Practitioners have demonstrated through the registration process that they are committed to providing access to high quality, safe and effective restorative practice.
“I would like to congratulate the Merseyside Restorative Justice Service team on their achievement.”
Restorative justice gives victims a chance to explain to offenders the real impact of their crime, to get answers to their questions. It allows victims to ask 'why me?' and provides them with the opportunity to challenge the offender’s behaviour.
It empowers victims, giving them the opportunity to meet or communicate with their offenders in a safe environment to have their say. It also holds offenders to account for what they have done and helps them to take responsibility and make amends, it can help to stop reoffending.
Restorative justice is entirely voluntary, and a victim of crime can withdraw from the process at any time.
Find out more about Merseyside's Restorative Justice Service at Restorative Justice & Practice | Restorative Solutions or contact them directly via email [email protected]