FASD and the Criminal Justice System

IfJ CPD Courses

Course Facilitator(s)

Uzma Naseem, Dr David Junior Gilbert, Dr Alan Price, Tania Goddard, Prof Clare Allely

Course Facilitator(s) Bio

The facilitators of the training course are members of the SalfordFASD research team based at the University of Salford, Manchester. The SalfordFASD team is the largest team in Europe researching the subject of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD).

Uzma Naseem: PhD researcher in FASD and sexually inappropriate behaviours, University of Salford

Dr David Junior Gilbert: University Fellow in FASD and the justice system, University of Salford

Dr Alan Price: Lecturer in Psychology, University of Salford

Tania Goddard: PhD researcher in FASD and fitness to plead, University of Salford

Prof Clare Allely: Professor of Forensic Psychology, University of Salford

Who is this course for?

1. Qualified Intermediaries who would like to understand more about the subject to enhance their work with vulnerable people. At any level of experience, from newly registered onwards. 2. Other criminal justice professionals 3. Professionals seeking to apply to be an Intermediary

Description

Course Content:

 

  1. Introduction to FASD: Definitions, causes, and core neurodevelopmental characteristics.
  2. Cognitive and behavioural challenges in individuals with FASD relevant to legal settings.
  3. Prevalence of FASD in justice-involved populations: What the research tells us.
  4. Case examples illustrating how FASD can influence legal outcomes (e.g., false confessions, poor memory recall). Lived experience input
  5. Vulnerabilities during police interviews and court testimony (e.g., suggestibility, compliance, misunderstanding legal rights).
  6. Role of intermediaries in supporting individuals with FASD through accessible communication and procedural adaptations.
  7. Strategies to mitigate risk of miscarriage of justice, including screening, expert involvement, and trauma-informed practice.

 

Course Aims/Objectives:

The objectives of the course are :

 

  1. To define Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD)
  2. To Recognise the overrepresentation and vulnerability of individuals with FASD in the criminal justice system.
  3. To understand the impact of FASD on legal processes.
  4. To Identify risk factors for false confessions, suggestibility, and compliance in individuals with FASD.
  5. To share appropriate communication and support strategies during legal proceedings to reduce the risk of miscarriage of justice.

 

Course Method:

The workshop is run in the form of a small group training. The presenters will present information and will invite high levels of participation and sharing of knowledge and ideas. Prepared slides/handouts guide the process rather than impart information.

The following materials are provided:

  • Timetable
  • Glossary of terms
  • Power point presentations
  • Guidance for further reading-Bibliography

There will also be input from individuals with lived experience of FASD.

- Participants to log on 15 minutes prior to start of each session.

- It is required that all participants keep their cameras on throughout the workshop.

- Participants to complete online feedback form post workshop.

Guidance for further reading-Bibliography

Cancellation Policy

If you cancel your booking with 14 or more days' notice, you will receive a full refund minus a £15 admin charge (£5 for subsidised courses). If you cancel your booking with less than 48 hours' notice, we are unfortunately unable to offer a refund. However, you may substitute another delegate or transfer to another course by giving IfJ at least 24 hours’ notice.

In exceptional circumstances IfJ reserve the right to issue a full refund. Please inform us at the time of cancellation of your particular reason for cancelling. If you wish to cancel or change your booking, please do so by emailing: admin@intermediaries-for-justice.org

We will endeavour to respond to all cancellation requests within two working days. Refunds will be made using the same method of payment as you used for the purchase and will be paid within seven days of refund confirmation.

Places are limited to a maximum of 20 participants. There is a minimum requirement of 6 participants. If the minimum number is not met, IfJ reserve the right to cancel the course with at least two weeks' notice and a full refund will be issued.

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