What does “restorative practices” in classroom management focus on?

Restorative practices in classroom management fundamentally focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships when conflicts or misbehavior occur. Unlike traditional punitive approaches that primarily ask 'What rule was broken?' and 'How should the offender be punished?', restorative practices shift the focus to 'Who has been harmed?', 'What are their needs?', and 'Whose obligation is it to meet those needs?'. This approach involves bringing together all parties affected by an incident—the student who caused harm, the student who was harmed, and sometimes the wider community—to discuss what happened, understand the impact, and collectively decide on a way forward to make amends and prevent recurrence. The goal is not merely to punish, but to teach empathy, responsibility, and social-emotional skills, thereby strengthening relationships and building a more cohesive, respectful, and supportive classroom community where everyone feels valued and accountable.