Is Restorative Approach offering legal services for conflict?

No, and that’s the whole point! Restorative Approach is here to offer alternative ways to address conflict before it escalates to the point of needing litigators or institutions to take over. Our services fit best at the lowest level of escalation, best applied at the earliest stages of conflict. When issues are relational, traditional legal intervention may make the conflict worse. Legal interventions typically do not address the human side of conflict. A good example of this issue in legal services is, say, when people reach some kind of outcome on paper but in real life the relationships remain painful and broken. At Restorative Approach our process is rooted in good faith (participating honestly and sincerely), consent, and voluntary participation so agreements work for everyone involved. We offer a space that encourages people to work through conflict on their own terms in honest ways. This is the antithesis of winner/loser adversarial processes. Since outcomes are created with participation from everyone involved, our process is effective and sustainable over time.

Why is it so important to address conflict?

When leaders avoid or fail to address conflict, the costs are huge. People are stressed, disconnected, absent or ill, disengaged, and morale decreases when tensions are high. Unaddressed conflict only gets worse with time. It's important to remember that conflict is unavoidable. In fact, it's totally natural! But the important thing is how we address it. We support you in addressing conflict effectively to find good ways forward. The sooner you take steps to address conflict the more likely it is that we can move through it in a meaningful way.

What makes this different?

Unlike traditional responses to conflict, the whole idea here is to support people in having courageous conversations to address things openly and honestly so agreements can be reached about how to move forward. There is emphasis on responsibility and accountability with focus on finding resolutions that work for everyone involved. Our goal is to break the typical cycle of disconnection and escalation when conflict naturally emerges between people. Each situation is unique so we tailor our responses accordingly. Instead of traditional routes that focus on avoiding liability, defending positions, and having external authorities decide what should happen next, a restorative intervention is all about giving people space to own their mistakes, grow for the better, express their needs, and reach agreements to resolve. We center the voices of those impacted and work with people who caused harm to reach good faith outcomes. This process, rooted in Indigenous ways of working, is a truly beautiful one. It works! Learn more about the Restorative Difference here.

Do you use a sliding scale for pricing?

Yes! If your group is a non-profit or community group we will do our best to find a budget that works for you. We are dedicated to serving our community as best we can. Reach out!

What kind of conflict is right for a restorative process?

Great question! Sometimes conflict does require legal or bureaucratic intervention (for example, arbitration in relation to labour disputes), but Restorative Approach is here for anything related to interpersonal or group conflict. We work through conflict like: harmful incidents, disagreements, negative interactions, tension, clashes, issues with decision-making, group conflict, struggles in leadership, etc. Our specialty is supporting people to have hard conversations in good ways so folks can move forward on the same page with trust. So many situations escalate unnecessarily when an honest conversation was all that was needed.

Is this counselling?

No! There are elements of mediation and coaching in our services but this process is focused on repairing incidents of harm, not on helping individuals heal from longstanding, historic wounds. Restorative services can be healing! But if it’s something familial, something related to historic trauma, something that has gone on for years, counselling might be the best support to help you work through these complex issues. Book in for a free 30-minute consultation to talk to Shila - she will guide you to the right place if she isn’t the one to support you.

How long does it take to resolve conflict restoratively?

It depends! Each case is unique. Some things are resolved within a couple weeks, some things take a month or two, some longer. Shila will send you an estimate once she understands the situation at hand. Rule of thumb is the more people involved, the longer it takes.

Where do these services fit?

Our educational workshops fit absolutely everywhere because each and every one of us can always improve our interpersonal and relational skills set. Building healthy relationships and connected communities require skills that we must learn, practice, and grow through our lifetimes. There are endless benefits to learning about embodying and employing restorative approaches with clients, colleagues and communities. When our relationships are strong and healthy, so are our projects, so are our communities, and so are we as individuals.

For conflict, our services fit best at the earliest stages of tension. We support individuals and organizations to address conflict and repair relationships before things escalate to other channels. We know that we have the best chance at repairing issues when we talk through them openly and honestly as immediately as we can. This helps break the cycle of disconnection and escalation. If matters have escalated to a bureaucratic intervention, it may be harder for us to support you in finding a resolution. Contact us for a free consultation call so we can chat about your situation and how we can support you.

Is this restorative justice?

Yes, outside of the formal justice system. Our application is spacious and flexible which is our greatest strength. Restorative justice typically exists within the traditional justice system as it does with the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program. At Restorative Approach we see the immense value of restorative processes and decided to build an organization that offers these responses in a broad way. The key is that we are leaving criminal matters to the courts, and offer restorative services for conflict that has not escalated into the justice system. Think of restorative approaches (or principles, or practices) as the umbrella, and Restorative Approach as one example of an application of a restorative process. Restorative justice in the justice system is another application under the restorative umbrella.

How does the free 30 minute consultation work?

Since each case is unique, it's important for us to know what the scoop is so we can suggest the right services for your situation. Drop us a line and you will get an email with a link to Shila's calendar with open windows for meetings. You can book yourself into a 30-minute slot that works best for you, and a meeting link will be sent your way. When it's time for this call, Shila will ask you questions about your situation and get to know you. After this call you will receive a proposal with suggested services. If Restorative Approach isn't the right service, Shila will direct you to other places that might be able to support you.

What kinds of organizations can benefit from restorative services?

As noted above and below, everyone benefits from restorative education since building healthy relationships and communities is a skill that we must learn, practice and grow throughout our lifetimes.

For conflict, we work with most organizations. Commonly we serve:

• organizations needing guidance and support when conflict arises
• boards, non-profits, or groups experiencing conflict, issues with governance, or with decision-making
• Human Resources professionals who hire us to assist with restorative investigations or to intervene when conflict is an issue
• leaders needing support in navigating a difficult situation

Get in touch with us for a free 30-minute consultation so we can learn more about your situation and how we can help.

Why is it helpful to learn about restorative approaches?

Everyone in the world has something to gain from strengthening their relationships. Even longstanding practitioners like us continually grow and change for the better when working this way. Since the entire focus of restorative approaches is the quality of relationships, it can help individuals better connect with their clients, colleagues, and communities. Building healthy relationships is a skillset we must learn, practice, and grow over our lifetimes. Restorative approaches are rooted in Indigenous ways of being, and there’s a deep understanding that everything we do is only as strong as the relationships underpinning it. The Restorative Approaches 101 Workshop is a great way for any team to learn practical tools and skills as a form of professional development.

Do all restorative responses to conflict involve face to face meetings with parties involved?

No! But often they do. The beauty of this response is that it's totally flexible and responsive to the situation at hand. In cases of workplace sexual harassment, for example, the efforts might focus solely on creating a safety plan and parameters to move forward without victims having to interact with people who caused the harm. For interpersonal conflict, especially with colleagues, a meeting is usually an important part of the process, but we take a lot of time to meet one-on-one and prepare so everyone feels at ease going into the discussion. What we bring is a guiding presence and structure to difficult discussions. Each person has different desires and we have space for that. There is no one-size-fits-all here. We never put people in situations they don't feel good about.

Why is it financially beneficial to hire us when conflict has become an issue?

Traditional routes to conflict tend to focus on adversarial options that put people in defensive positions without a lot of flexibility. Legal interventions are very costly and can contribute to conflict escalating within an organization or group since they are also quite slow. Our process is more affordable than hiring a lawyer, and is likely faster too. We address situations as soon as possible with the understanding that conflict gets worse the longer it is not resolved. We work with people to find harmonious ways forward, which bypasses processes used in adversarial or litigious routes.