Restorative Devon: building relational and connective ways of working across the partnership – fully funded conferences lead by Mark Finnis
We’re inviting colleagues and teams from across our partnership to join one of our conferences to explore how we can work in a more connected, consistent and relationship-focused way.
Led by Mark Finnis, a leading expert in Restorative Practice, these conferences will help us develop approaches that make our everyday work feel easier, support us to have better conversations (even the difficult ones), and ensure we’re doing the very best for children, young people, families and communities.
When and where?
- Monday 30 March – Newton Abbot racecourse, Newton Road, Newton Abbot Devon TQ12 3AF
- Tuesday 31 March – Westpoint, Clyst St Mary, Exeter, EX5 1DJ
- Wednesday 1 April – Barnstaple Hotel, Braunton Road, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 1LE
All events will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm and are fully funded for all partners across Devon working with children, young people and families.
Who should attend?
Professionals from all partner agencies working with children, families, adults or communities including those new to restorative practice or looking to deepen their understanding. This includes early years and childcare practitioners working with children in Devon.
Why does it matter?
- If we want the way we work to genuinely reflect our values, we need to use clear, respectful and trauma-informed language and build strong relationships in everything we do. When we do this well, leaders and teams can purposely shape a positive culture, and create an environment where colleagues, children, families and communities feel included and able to thrive.
- Restorative and relational practice helps us build trust, communicate more effectively, and involve children, young people and families in decisions. It also supports us to handle difficult conversations in a respectful, constructive way, and to create a culture where people feel they belong and can work well together.
Conference focus areas:
- Introduction to relational practice: values, philosophy and key concepts
- How language and communication shape the experiences of children & families
- Practical application of the Working WITH model
- Strengthening consistent restorative and relational approaches across all agencies
We will also draw on the principles from Mark Finnis’s Seven Steps to a Highly Connected Organisation:
- Belonging before behaviour
- Humans first, professionals second
- Language shapes culture
- Fair process builds trust
- Authority delivered relationally
- From knowing, to doing, to being
- Repair is a leadership responsibility
Book your place
To book your place, please complete the multi-agency partner conferences booking form: Multi-agency Partner Conferences March and April 2026
If you have any questions, contact safeguardingelearning-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.