The Mint House (Oxford Centre for Restorative Practice)

Who we are

The Mint House (Oxford’s Centre for Restorative Practice) aims to make high quality restorative approaches more widely known about and used.

We want restorative practice to be a natural part of 'how we do things', not just in criminal justice contexts but also more widely, e.g.  in schools, work settings, neighbourhoods and faith communities.

We work to bring this about by:

• using creative approaches to introduce restorative approaches to new audiences
• sharing insights from our own and others’ research on aspects of restorative practice
• supporting groups and organisations to develop and embed restorative approaches
• growing a network of restorative practice champions and practitioners who can support each other, and others, to enrich and expand restorative approaches.

The case for respectful dialogue and looking at how harm can be repaired has always been compelling: as we face up to the injustices exposed and reinforced by COVID, to racial injustice, climate injustice and many other social harms, we think it is needed more than ever.

We currently have one part-time employee, our Communications Officer. Our trustee board are also very involved in supporting our work in practical ways.

Our culture and values

Mint House Restorative Code

1.         We are committed to building a restorative environment.

2.         We commit to being a restorative people-centred organisation and to striving to provide the highest standard of service.

3.         We are committed to developing and maintaining trust in each other.

4.         We are committed to engaging with each other with dignity and respect.

5.         If we have a legitimate concern about the behaviour of another Mint House colleague, we commit to presenting the concern to them directly or to seeking supervision.

6.         We agree to separate the deed from the doer by affirming the worth of the individual while acknowledging our concern about their behaviour.

7.         We are committed to giving and receiving feedback openly and honestly to each other in a respectful way.

8.         We respond to situations with each other rather than to or for each other.

9.         We commit to consulting people about decisions that affect them where possible, to listen to their points of view and to explain decisions in an open and transparent way.

10.    We respect the organisational structures that are in place to support us to work restoratively together.

11.    We recognise that conflict can be difficult, and we commit to dealing with it in a restorative way.

12.    We are committed to reviewing our progress a minimum of twice yearly.

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

The Mint House is committed to treating all people fairly, with dignity and respect, and to valuing everyone’s contributions, both in our role as an employer and through the services we deliver.

We recognise that this means complying with the requirements of the Equality Act 2010 in avoiding and opposing direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation of people with protected characteristics (namely age; disability; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex and sexual orientation); people who are perceived to have protected characteristics or who are associated with them. 

Consistent with restorative principles we recognise we need to go beyond this.

• We understand that people face exclusion, discrimination and harassment as a result of various aspects, or perceived aspects, of their identity, or the identify of people with whom they are associated. In addition to protected characteristics, factors affecting how people are treated, and the opportunities open to them, can include: experiences of violence or trauma; language and literacy levels; low income and employment status; offending history; asylum status. Our commitment to fair, inclusive and respectful practice needs to apply to everyone.

• We need to challenge discrimination where we encounter it.

• We also need to take positive steps to identify and overcome barriers to equality and inclusion, making the most of the rich social and cultural diversity of our communities.

What this means in practice

To fulfil this commitment, the Mint House will seek to model the six principles of restorative practice including principles of impartiality, safety, accessibility and empowerment, in our work environment and service delivery. We will support this by:

• using diverse recruitment channels aimed at ensuring that our trustee body, staff, associates and volunteers represent all sections of society to the fullest possible extent

• looking for, and exploring, understandings of equality, diversity and inclusion and restorative values more widely as part and parcel of trustee, staff, associate and volunteer recruitment and induction, ensuring all who work on our behalf understand their responsibilities in this regard

• considering additional training needs at least annually, including training in legislative changes, employment practice and unconscious bias; also building consideration of equality, diversity and inclusion into reflection sessions

• thoroughly investigating allegations of discrimination, victimisation and harassment through our disciplinary and grievance procedures, and taking action where appropriate. We will do this as quickly as possible consistent with a thorough investigation while also supporting those involved

• reviewing our employment practices and procedures when necessary, updating these to reflect changes in law and new practice understandings

• publishing an access statement, emphasising our commitment to responding to individuals’ needs and making adjustments where we can

• monitoring take-up of our services wherever feasible

• making our work as transparent as possible

• each year, reviewing our progress in reaching and engaging with diverse communities, outlining positive steps we plan to take in an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan.