Working with Pre-school Children: Interview to Court

IfJ CPD Courses

Course Facilitator(s)

Catherine Chamberlain and Nora Tweedie

Course Facilitator(s) Bio

Both Nora and Catherine have worked as RIs for many years and have a breadth of experience as speech and language therapists working with children.

Who is this course for?

IfJ Members. Both experienced and newly qualified intermediaries are welcome

Description

Course Content: 

This course provides an overview of working with pre-school children in the criminal justice system. Namely, pre-school children's cognitive development, improving their recall and communication, interview preparation, and considerations of the court process.

The day will have 4 main sessions:

  1. An overview of communication and cognitive development in the pre-school child.
  • key skills/areas to assess
  • assessment techniques
  • resources.
  1. Studies of strategies for improving children’s recall and communication of forensically relevant information.
  2. Preparation for ABE-VRI:
  • feedback to the interviewing officer
  • planning
  • selection of appropriate “tools”
  • preparation of the witness.
  1. The court process. Particular considerations when working with pre-school children:
  •  the court report,
  • pre-trial familiarisation,
  • memory refreshing,
  • GRH,
  • reviewing xx questions,
  • options for cross examination

Course Aims/Objectives:

  • To have an understanding of developmental norms in pre-school children in key areas including: attention and listening, memory, concept development, receptive and expressive language skills, symbolic understanding/representational skills.
  • Understand the implications of assessment findings and developmental norms for the police interview process and factors to consider when planning for the ABE-VRI.
  • To be able to select and use appropriate communication aids/tools for pre-school children in order to achieve best evidence.
  • Have an awareness of current research and evidence-based approaches relevant to working with pre-school children at police interview.
  • To explore approaches that facilitate the pre-school witness’ effective participation in the court process.

Course Method:

We are aiming this course at both newly qualified intermediaries and experienced intermediaries who may wish to reflect on their practice and share experiences of working with pre-school children in the criminal justice system.

Information will be presented using slides/ handouts and the presenters will invite high levels of participation and sharing of knowledge and ideas. 

The following materials are provided:

  • Timetable
  • Power point presentations
  • Guidance for further reading-Bibliography
  • Examples of resources

- 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.