A Criminal Justice Inspection investigation into Northern Ireland's restorative justice projects has found that further development is needed if the schemes are to receive full government recognition.
The recommendation for the establishment of an independent complaints system – in the style of an ombudsman – to be set up for clients who feel unhappy with the way their case has been handled, was also included in the report.
Inspectors praised the work carried out by community restorative justice (CRJ) projects based in Belfast and Derry.
However, they said that better records should be kept and further cooperation with the police in criminal cases was also needed before CRJ could seek accreditation under new government protocols.
Criminal justice inspector Brendan McGuigan said they were impressed by the commitment shown by volunteers and staff but added that further work was needed.
"If the schemes are to be successful in securing accreditation from government, they need to formalise their relationships with the criminal justice agencies to meet the stringent requirements of the protocol," he said.
Head of CRJ Belfast, Jim Auld, welcomed the report's findings saying that many of the recommendations had already been implemented.
"This is a positive step it's what we have been asking for this for the past eight years," he said.
"What we're looking for now is to move forward and get accredited as quickly as possible.
"As the inspectors have indicted we need the resources to do that and we are calling on government to act promptly so that we can fall into line."
In reaction to calls for an ombudsman to oversee any complaints about CRJ Mr Auld said: "We don't have any difficulty with being overseen, as any organisation like ours would and should be.
"The inspection has shown that restorative justice has worked and is valuable in creating a safer community for everybody."
