*This course and its resulting diploma are currently in development and under Ofqual consideration*
About the Diploma
RJ4All Education is pleased to offer Level 5 Diploma in Restorative Justice Practice regulated by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). The Awarding Body for the Diploma is the RJ4All International Institute.
The key objective of the qualification is to enable you to practise restorative justice either in statutory criminal justice (e.g. police, prison, probation) and youth justice (e.g. youth offending teams, local authorities, youth offending institutions) or community settings (e.g. mediation centres). Upon graduation, we will submit your registration to the International Fellowship of Restorative Justice Practitioners, enabling you to receive case work but also network with colleagues from around the world.
This regulated Level 5 Diploma will allow you to become a qualified restorative justice practitioner. In the UK, unlike other professions, there is no regulator that controls or approves registrations for restorative justice practitioners. Various businesses operate their own private programmes. By achieving this qualification, you will not the need to register with any organisation or pay membership fees. Moreover, the qualification can also allow you to progress onto other university higher courses. Other benefits include:
- Career Advancement: Allows you to progress within your current profession as well as relevant university courses.
- Skill Development: Offers practical, hands-on experience in professional restorative justice settings.
- Personal Growth: Enhances empathy, communication, and conflict resolution abilities, supporting personal development.
Expression of Interest
We will provide you with more details about the course.
*** Please note that the Diploma is still being considered by Ofqual and is not yet open for registration. Contact us via admin@rj4all.org for a free consultation on the course.
*** Slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
*** We subsidise the costs for the initial launch of the programme. Prices will be revised after the first year.
*** We offer a separate tuition policy for our staff, volunteers, and interns to ensure capacity building within the RJ4All family. Check out the open vacancies to learn more about joining our internship and volunteering programmes.
Statuary/ Private Sector
Charity Sector
Closing date for applications for the 2025 intake: 30 November 2024
Specification & Special Features
Total Credits: 90
Guided Learning Hours: 300
Total Qualification Time: 900
- Duration: One-year programme divided into three semesters.
- Structure: Includes mandatory and optional units
- Mandatory Units 1-3: 3 months delivered through 4 independent subjects. Face-to-face and online lectures.
- Mandatory Units 4-6 + Optional units: 3 months delivered through 4 independent subjects. Face-to-face and online lectures.
- Restorative justice case work in practice: 3 months delivered through case work under supervision by a senior restorative justice practitioner. Supervised practice by qualified RJ4All senior practitioners.
Face-to-face and online learning with a combination of theoretical and practical modules:
- Theoretical Foundation: These sessions covers restorative justice theory, principles, historical context, and ethical considerations.
- Practical Training: These sessions allow learners to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world scenarios. This includes role-playing exercises, case studies, and simulations of restorative justice processes.
- Independent Study: You will undertake self-directed study to deepen your understanding. This includes reading assignments, research projects, and independent learning modules provided through e-learning platforms.
- Supervised Practice: You will be allocated a case and be supervised by experienced practitioners.
- Ongoing support: Through live webinars, real-time telephone tutorials, and e-learning supervised by a teacher in real time, we ensure the best companionship and tutoring during your learning journey.
Assessment methods include:
- Test: Applied to Mandatory Units 1-3
- Essay: Applied to Mandatory Units 4-6 and Optional Units
- Case Portfolio: Applied to the practice stage of managing restorative justice case work
This Diploma is regulated making it stand out from other short courses that are not certified. Moreover, it has two unique special features:
- The first refers to the requirement to complete case work under supervision. We will provide both the case and the supervisor.
- The second feature includes a 3-day in-person training delivered by Dr. David Moore and Dr. Alikki Vernon, President and Vice-President of the Australian Association for Restorative Justice. Titled “Setting Relations Right: transforming conflict int cooperation through group conferencing”, this training will also act a standalone programme certified with Continuous Professional Development. External non-Diploma students will also be able to join. It will be held towards the end of the second semester to help the student transition from theoretical learning to handling a real case in the final semester.
Who can join?
The RJ4All Level 5 Diploma in Restorative Justice Practice is tailored for a diverse range of students. It targets those working or wishing to work in both statutory and community-based criminal justice or youth justice settings.
(e.g. students finishing their A-Levels, unqualified restorative justice practitioners, probation and prison staff, prosecutors and lawyers, individuals in legal and criminal justice roles, those in social work). Applicants must meet these prerequisites:
- Aged 18 and above
- English as a first language or proficient (e.g. IELTS)
- A Levels or equivalent (e.g. BTEC Level 3, NVQ, or Baccalaureates)
- Obtain RJ4All CPD Certificate in “Induction to restorative justice theory and practice” e-course OR minimum of 3 months restorative justice practice (voluntary or paid).
Summary key diploma details
- Programme type
- Location
- Duration
- Course structure
- Starting Date
- Course convenor
- Target audience
- Language (teaching & assessment)
- Level 5 Diploma regulated by Ofqual
- Online + offline (London)
- 1 year - part time & work based
- 5 modules + 1 module with case work
- January, 2025
- Professor Theo Gavrielides, PhD
- Anyone wishing to practise or teach restorative justice
- English (accessible)
More than a Diploma
By becoming an RJ4All student through RJ4All Education or any of our Approved Centres, you will also be joining a world movement for social justice. In addition:
- RJ4All Graduate: You will be joining our graduate alumni group, accessing a series of benefits including discounts to our CPD courses, and opportunities to work with us or carry out casework.
- Continued Professional Development: We provide formal CPD-certified courses validated by the CPD Certification Service. This will ensure that your training meets rigorous standards and enhances your professional credibility as a restorative justice practitioner.
- Free resources: As part of your registration you will receive free copies of three key books on restorative justice as well as a 50% discount on all our ebooks and publications including the Internet Journal of Restorative Justice. Additionally, we have established an in-house and online library that houses all the necessary resources for studying the course, available free of charge.
- Global Impact: By joining RJ4All, you become part of a global movement towards combatting power abuse and promoting community cohesion through restorative justice practices, and get the chance to join RJ4All’s International Fellowship of Restorative Justice Practitioners.
Teaching staff and restorative justice practitioners
Our teaching team comprises some of the world’s leading academics and experts, ensuring you receive the right support for both guided and unguided learning. For the theoretical modules, top academics cover the necessary topics, while the casework modules are led by a qualified restorative justice practitioner from the International Fellowship of Restorative Justice Practitioners (IFRJP). This is a body of international restorative justice experts and practitioners that we host, with membership assessed by the IFRJP Board according to the RJ4All Restorative Justice Framework. For more details on the Fellowship and its approval process, please visit: https://rj4all.org/ifrjp/
Janine Carroll, Restorative Justice Trainer and Facilitator; Accredited Practitioner and Trainer
Ben Lyon, Senior restorative justice practitioner, ex-probation officer, ex-police officer, restorative justice trainer, Hon Vice-President of RJ4All
Chris Starker, Director of Restorative Thinking, practitioner
David Moore, President, Australian Association for Restorative Justice (AARJ), Practitioner
Alikki Vernon, Vice-President, Australian Association for Restorative Justice (AARJ), Practitioner
Prof. Verity Brown, Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience, University of East London and University of St Andrews (Honorary), member of RJ4All’s Board of Non-executive Director
Professor Felicity Gerry KC, International King’s Counsel, London and Melbourne. Professor of Legal Practice, Senior Defence Counsel, Partners in several Chambers in the UK and Australia member of RJ4All’s Board of Non-executive Director
RJ4All is founded on the restorative justice principles of power-sharing, equality, and respect. We are committed to actively preventing discrimination and fostering diversity. Our environment encourages individuals to use their skills without fear of bias, ensuring all decisions are merit-based. We expected anyone delivering this Diploma to follow these values and all our related policies. Moreover, as a vocational education provider, RJ4All follows the European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training (ECVET) framework. This supports the transfer and recognition of learning outcomes across Europe, enhancing the design and quality assurance of our e-courses.
During examinations, we ensure fair and transparent assessments for all units and adhere to our Equality & Diversity Policy, applicable to all RJ4All members. We actively counter disadvantages, providing equal opportunities for participation in our events and services, and ensuring our publicity materials are clear and accessible.
This course and all our training and learning services follow the RJ4All Academic Integrity Policy