CDI awards first-ever Restorative Practice ‘Champions’ Certs in Tallaght

The Tallaght based Childhood Development Initiative has awarded first-ever Restorative Practices ‘Champion’ certs to 20 community leaders. Many of the recipients were Tallaght based and the awards took place at the CDI Office with veteran Restorative Practices (RP) ambassador Fr. Peter McVerry and CDI Chair Dr. Suzanne Guerin of UCD. In ten years of leading the development of Restorative Practices in Ireland, this is the first time CDI has awarded this level of expertise. It means that these experts are now qualified to ‘train RP trainers’. Presenting the Certs, Peter McVerry said he was delighted to meet so many leaders who would be champions for their communities. He said they gave him hope for the children of the country. CDI RP Programme Manager Claire Casey said this was a milestone for Restorative Practices in Ireland, and for CDI’s commitment to the approach.

“CDI has trained in excess of 3,000 adults and 300 young people in Restorative Practices over the past 10 years. The numbers are growing all the time. Having 20 experts certified to this level can only mean further progress. “CDI continues to provide an ever-increasing number and range of courses in RP and these can be viewed and booked on the CDI website, or anyone interested can contact CDI,” she said. Restorative Practices (RP) are a set of skills that develop and sustain strong and happy organisations and communities by actively developing good relationships, preventing the escalation of conflict and handling conflict and wrongdoing in a creative and healthy manner. Evaluations have consistently found that those who learn RP are readily able to use the approach; that relationships in the workplace improve; and that where conflict occurs, it is resolved more quickly.

CDI is based in Fettercain and delivers prevention and early intervention programmes, consultancy and training.

Pictured: Awardees receiving their ‘RP Champions’ Certs at the CDI Office in Fettercairn