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Course Content: 

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.

2. Studies of strategies for improving children’s recall and communication of forensically relevant information.
3. Preparation for ABE-VRI:

• feedback to the interviewing officer
• planning
• selection of appropriate “tools”
• preparation of the witness.

4. 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