Restorative Practices, Accountability & Behavior Support
Restorative Practices, Accountability & Behavior Support
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How We Handle Challenges and Support Growth
How We Handle Challenges and Support Growth
At South Side Help Center, we believe that young people learn best in environments where accountability is paired with care, learning, and opportunity for repair. Our approach to behavior challenges is grounded in restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.
At South Side Help Center, we believe that young people learn best in environments where accountability is paired with care, learning, and opportunity for repair. Our approach to behavior challenges is grounded in restorative practices, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development.
Mistakes happen. Conflict happens. At SSHC, we don’t define youth by their worst moment — instead, we support them in learning from their actions, repairing harm, and moving forward.
Mistakes happen. Conflict happens. At SSHC, we don’t define youth by their worst moment — instead, we support them in learning from their actions, repairing harm, and moving forward.
What Is a Restorative Approach?
What Is a Restorative Approach?
Restorative practices focus on:
Understanding what happened and why.
Acknowledging the impact of actions on others.
Repairing relationships and harm caused.
Restoring trust and community connections.
Supporting personal growth, not just enforcing consequences.
Behavior Support Process
Behavior Support Process
Depending on the situation and the needs of those involved, SSHC may use one or more of the following steps:
Depending on the situation and the needs of those involved, SSHC may use one or more of the following steps:
Step
Step
Verbal Reminder
Private Conversation
Restorative Conversation / Mediation
Peace Circle / Group Process
Behavior Support Plan
Temporary Removal or Suspension
What It Looks Like
What It Looks Like
A simple check-in to refocus or redirect behavior.
One-on-one discussion with staff to reflect on behavior, choices, and impacts.
Facilitated dialogue between the people involved to share feelings, take responsibility, and discuss next steps.
A space for deeper reflection, group accountability, and collaborative solutions.
A written plan co-created with the participant (and family if under 18) that outlines agreed-upon actions, supports, and goals for moving forward.
In some cases, a short break from program activities may be needed for safety, de-escalation, or reflection. Always paired with a plan for re-engagement where possible.
When Immediate Action Is Needed
When Immediate Action Is Needed
While we strive for restorative solutions whenever possible, there are certain situations where safety requires immediate response, including:
While we strive for restorative solutions whenever possible, there are certain situations where safety requires immediate response, including:
- Physical violence or serious threats of harm
- Possession of weapons, drugs, or alcohol on-site
- Sexual harassment or misconduct
- Repeated bullying, hate speech, or harassment after restorative attempts have been made
In these cases, SSHC may:
In these cases, SSHC may:
- Immediately remove the participant from the activity or space.
- Notify parents/guardians or emergency contacts.
- Require a restorative re-entry meeting before the participant can return.
- Involve outside agencies (including law enforcement) only if required by law or necessary for the immediate safety of others.
Our Commitment to Growth, Not Shame
Our Commitment to Growth, Not Shame
We do not believe in zero-tolerance policies that write young people off without opportunity for learning or healing. Instead:
We do not believe in zero-tolerance policies that write young people off without opportunity for learning or healing. Instead:
- We address harm directly but with dignity and respect.
- We recognize and respond to the underlying needs, traumas, and challenges that may contribute to behaviors.
- We involve participants in the problem-solving process.
We believe in providing youth a "safe space to fail". We want to give youth support, allow them to learn and grow from mistakes. Why it's important:
We believe in providing youth a "safe space to fail". We want to give youth support, allow them to learn and grow from mistakes. Why it's important:
- Everyone makes mistakes. That’s how we learn.
- Youth need places where it’s okay to not be perfect all the time.
- It helps build confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience.
Our goal is always to support participants in learning how to make things right — and to grow stronger from the experience.
Our goal is always to support participants in learning how to make things right — and to grow stronger from the experience.
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