IfJ Taster Session: ‘An Introduction to working as an Intermediary’
IfJ CPD Courses
Course Facilitator(s)
Dr Catherine O'NeilCourse Facilitator(s) Bio
18th February 2026, 5.30 - 8.30pm
Host
Dr Catherine O’Neil IfJ Chair
Dr Catherine O’Neill is a Registered Intermediary in the Justice System, a Speech and Language Therapist and an Arts Psychological Therapist. As a therapist she has worked with adults and children with Communication Needs and Mental Health issues, in a variety of settings including palliative care, acute mental health wards and day hospitals, schools and clinics. She has worked on hundreds of cases involving vulnerable witnesses and defendants, in the Criminal, Family and Tribunal courts. She is currently completing a PhD on: The knowledge and experience of Trauma Informed Practice in the Justice System. She is currently Chair of IfJ and has a firm belief in equality of access to justice for all. Catherine currently runs trainings for the police on communication to Achieve Best Evidence and on Trauma Informed Practice.
Presenters
Dr Tim Turner
Dr Tim Turner is currently employed as Assistant Professor in Criminology at Coventry University. He previously worked as a Forensic CPN in Camden Town. He has been a Registered Intermediary since 2006 and is chair of the Registered Intermediary training team.
Amanda Lynch
Amanda works with vulnerable defendants in the criminal courts. Since qualifying as an intermediary 6 years ago, she has assisted in a variety of cases from Youth Court up to Central Criminal Court. She used to work as a producer for the BBC and Channel Four but later switched tracks to work as an Appropriate Adult assisting vulnerable suspects in police custody. She also worked juvenile migrants during the age assessment process.
Heather Carroll
Heather Carroll has been a Registered Intermediary since 2019 and, in 2024, became a HMCTS Approved Intermediary where she assists vulnerable defendants and parents in care proceedings. Formerly a Modern Languages teacher, she began working with young people excluded from school and those with social, emotional and mental health needs. She held roles including Designated Safeguarding Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children, and gained extensive experience supporting children and families affected by a range of issues including criminal and sexual exploitation and domestic violence.
Amy Harrison
Amy was a Registered Intermediary for 9 years. She has also worked on a large number of family cases over the last 11 years. Amy brings her experiences to the training from working in other non-intermediary roles related to the family court. Amy has also worked as a Local Authority solicitor, foster carer and adopter. She is also Vice Chair of the fostering panel of an independent Fostering Agency and works as a Consultant Lay Panel Member for the British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapists (BABCP).
Who is this course for?
Any professionals wishing to learn about: • the intermediary roles • how to become an intermediaryDescription
Course Content:
'Becoming a Registered Intermediary’
Dr Tim Turner
This brief workshop is aimed at people interested in becoming a Registered Intermediary. The session will outline the foundations of the role and provide an overview of the two-week training programme that leads to registration.
‘What is a Court Appointed Intermediary?’
Heather Carroll and Amanda Lynch
The presentation will cover the process of appointment, the practice of working as a Court Appointed Intermediary and the difference between Managed and Approved Service Providers (MASPs) and Approved Service Providers (ASPs).
‘A whistle stop tour of working in a family court’
Amy Harrison
An introduction to working in the family court including exploration of some of the differences between working in a family court versus other court arenas. It will also touch on what is required of you in the role and how vulnerable people participate in family court proceedings.
Course Aims/Objectives:
To give attendees an insight into the work of intermediaries and how a professional becomes an intermediary.
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:
- Powerpoint presentations
- Guidance for further reading-Bibliography
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- 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. |
Cancellation Policy
If you wish to cancel or change your booking, please do so by emailing: events@intermediaries-for-justice.org