Adult-led Resto matching

The VERSO programme trains staff members in schools and colleges to become adult mediators, or 'resto-mediators'. 

What is Resto?

MiniVerso and Verso (peer mediation) mediate everyday conflicts between children and young people at the lowest possible threshold. Staff members trained in a broader restorative approach and mediation mediate situations that are perceived as more serious or cannot be referred to peer mediation. This adult-led restorative mediation often involves a student or pupil and a staff member.

Staff members who have undergone in-depth RESTO training also act as mediators and mediative encounter experts in their unit.

Adult-led Resto mediation is used in schools for more serious disputes or conflicts involving several parties. As agreed, the parties to the conflict and usually two trained adult mediators take part in the mediation.

The agreement reached in mediation is written down as the parties wish and a follow-up period is set for the agreement to be reviewed. More than 90% of cases referred to mediation result in an agreement that is found to have been kept at the follow-up. If no agreement is reached or the agreement has not been kept, the case is referred back to the adult for consideration and from there to the procedure deemed appropriate.

Restorative and the conciliatory approach sees conflict as an opportunity rather than as an evil to be got rid of. Conflict comes to all of us and in all communities. By focusing more on solutions and supporting them, rather than on mistakes made, we can learn and bring about change. The best way to take responsibility in a conflict situation is to take an active role in resolving the situation and to be prepared to commit to a mutually agreed solution. It is therefore a good thing if the child has been or wants to be involved in mediation!

If the child participates in mediation, the child may simply be told at home that there has been a situation that has been mediated. It is important that the carer is interested in their child's experiences and feelings about the mediation. The role of the carer is to support the resolution that has been reached and to support their own child to take responsibility by sticking to the settlement. The matter has been dealt with in mediation and often does not require further action afterwards. If there are any concerns, it is a good idea to discuss them with school staff. In challenging or more serious situations, the carers are invited to attend the mediation themselves.

Listen to ideas on restorative justice and mediation
Waves of mediation- from our podcast:

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Episode 14:

Maija's doctoral thesis