Restorative Questions

The restorative questions developed by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) are designed to guide conversations to address harm and rebuild relationships. They focus on understanding what happened, the impact of the behavior, and how to repair the harm. These questions encourage accountability, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving to restore trust and community.

The restorative questions are used along the restorative practices continuum. The formality of their use increases as the severity of the incident increases. 

Using Questions to Respond to Challenging Behavior

1. What happened?
2. What were you thinking at the time?
3. What have you thought about since?
4. Who has been affected by what you've done? How?
5. What do you think you need to do to make it right?

Using Questions to Help Those Harmed by Others’ Actions

1. What did you think when you realized what had happened?
2. What impact has this had on you and others?
3. What has been the hardest part of this experience for you?
4. What do you think needs to happen to make things right?